Even when a situation seems bad some good may come of it.
 
In 2016 the Plum Coulee arena was heavily damaged by a fire to the structure and adjoining hall. Friday afternoon residents of Plum Coulee and the surrounding community came together to celebrate the grand opening of the arena.
 
Like a phoenix from the ashes, the arena was born anew, under the name CJ Dyck Arena, in honour of CJ Dyck who left an estate to benefit the arena.
 
June Letkeman, Chair of the Local Urban District of Plum Coulee, said she was surprised of how much Dyck had given to the community.
 
"Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we would have got this much money from him. He’d farmed his whole life, and he had made a good living, but he left us a lot of money. He’d be so proud of us that we used it in this way, because we’re leaving a legacy, and he left the legacy."


 
Dyck’s sister Agatha Gerbrandt agreed her brother would be proud of what his money had done for the community, because he was always helping others.
 
“He was always very supportive of the hockey rink and children skating. I remember he had a cleaning lady, they didn’t have skates, so he took them to the MCC store and bought them skates.”
 
The estate was instrumental in the project said Rhineland Municipality Reeve Don Wiebe, with much of the money used to help pay for the concrete pad for the ice rink.
 
The community hall is also open. Renovations to that part of the building have created a much more functional facility for future gatherings and events, according to Wiebe.
 
Dyck’s family was invited to the event, and cut the ribbon officially opening the facility.