The building of a new hospital in Prince Edward County is taking another step forward with season ticket sales for a local hockey club. But it’s up to the fans to help score a winning goal.

The 2021/22 season ticket sales campaign for the Wellington Dukes is now underway and it comes with a sportsmanlike request: to help Back the Build for the new County hospital.

The Dukes have relaunched a fundraising pledge brought forth last year that was stalled due to COVID-19. This year, the team is aiming to sell over 1,000 season tickets for the 2021/22 Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) regular season. Over the next few seasons, the organization hopes to sell enough tickets to be able to donate $20,000 from the ticket drive to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation to help Back the Build for a new hospital.

PECMHF and the Dukes both share common goals directed toward building a vibrant and healthy future for the County’s hospital and the people of the County.

“Last season we had the pleasure of starting to work with PECMHF on this special initiative. This year, as we return to hockey in the Duke Dome, we will be able to shine a light on the new hospital campaign. Having a new hospital will benefit so many people in Prince Edward County and surrounding communities,” said Kelly Martin, director of marketing for the Wellington Dukes. “When we were deciding which charity to partner with last year, selecting the foundation fulfilled our prerequisite of partnering with an organization that benefits the entire population of PEC. This was very important to the Dukes to help give back to the community that helps support us each season.”

With the return of fans into the arena this coming fall, the timing is perfect to become a season ticket holder knowing your investment in the Dukes is also helping build our community’s new hospital.

“Go Dukes Go! We are excited about this partnership with this much-loved hockey team,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “Your season ticket purchase will directly help the PECMH Foundation Back the Build for a new hospital in the County. This donation will also be matched 2:1 by the Paul B. Helliwell Foundation tripling the impact resulting in $60,000 to help with the campaign. What better way to help build our new hospital than to enjoy a season of great hockey at the Duke Dome!”

The Wellington Dukes are offering an affordable, family-friendly way to see your favourite junior hockey players this season. Adult season tickets are priced at $280 per seat while senior season tickets are $240. The Dukes and Total Sports Quinte are also offering a “corporate combo special” that combines advertising in Total Sports Hockey Season Preview edition in the fall with a ticket package allowing businesses the opportunity to utilize their tickets as promotional giveaways to their clients and employees. The hockey club will also be out and about in the community over the summer months at local events and farmers’ markets selling tickets and promoting the fundraising ticket drive.

“This fundraising ticket drive is something we’re pretty excited about,” said Martin. “The community is anxious to support the team again. If the fans are willing to get behind us and support the team as they prepare to take the ice, why wouldn’t we be willing to pay it forward and support the future of health care delivery in the County?”

“Giving back makes our community a better place for families to raise their kids, for businesses to thrive, and for our elderly to retire with comfort and dignity. We are so excited about this partnership with the Dukes who are leading by way through this commitment to help Back the Build. This partnership is truly a win-win as residents of and visitors to the County will benefit from having local access to medical services and treatments in a new, leading-edge facility,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign co-chairperson.

The Wellington Dukes are slated to return to play on October 1st with games every Friday night. Season tickets may be obtained by contacting Don Boucher at 613-813-3943 or Betty Masterson at 613-848-9609 or by visiting www.wellingtondukes.com or request tickets by email at dukesseasontickets@gmail.com.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County.