Gordie Howe Bowl campaign receives $2-million donation

An aerial rendering of the upgraded Gordie Howe Bowl shows the upgraded field and a new clubhouse in the south end zone.

The Bowl Field Goal Campaign has now raised more than a third of its fundraising objective thanks to a recent $2-million donation.

James Yausie and Cora Weenk made the combined donation, which will help renovate Gordie Howe Bowl.

The Yausie-Weenk family has volunteered with the Saskatoon Minor Football League several times in the past.

Yausie said the need to accommodate the growth of minor football was a major reason to donate.

"You can see it in the growth of the girls' flag teams, which I am coaching, and the Valkyries, which is tackle football,” said Yausie. “High school flag football for girls is something that's going on this year, so we need more fields. We need more coaches to do that, but mostly we need the facilities."

The donation put the Friends of the Bowl Foundation at just under $4 million of its $11-million goal to complete the Bowl's revitalization.

The Bowl Campaign has a "Fundraising Blitz" of downtown businesses planned for May 16.