Press Release: Live and Play 2 Updated
Originally Written: March 12, 2026
Centre for the Community Group of North Dumfries
In 2004, a group of young families came together with a bold vision—to build a space in North Dumfries where the entire community could come together to live, play, and thrive. This group became the Centre for the Community Group (CCG), and their dream became reality in 2011 with the opening of the North Dumfries Community Complex (NDCC).
The CCG is proud to lead the community fundraising efforts for the much-anticipated Net Zero Twin Pad and Programming Rooms Project expansion of the NDCC. A Fundraising goal of $2.12 million was set for the Live and Play 2 campaign team by the Township of North Dumfries.
On Oct. 1, 2025, we were excited to launch the Live and Play 2 campaign:
• Campaign Co Chairs: Rob Deutschmann and Michael Pley
• Deputy Chair & Campaign Manager: Russ Hutchings
• Campaign Treasurer: Tracy Black
• Honorary Campaign Advisors: Bonnie Brown, Kyle Clifford, Don Eby, Patrick MacNeil, Ellen Poll, Dave Vincent
• Campaign Team: Dave and Teri Vincent, Jenny Charron, Cathy Tohivsky, Todd McFarlane, Travis Sedore, Rosemary Coates, Jane Hale-McDonald, Jeff Hall
• Community Partners: Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge Web & Design, The Ayr News, Abracadabra Signs and Design, Ayr Financial Services Group, School Tee Screen Printing and J & R Hall Transport.
Quotes from Campaign Co-Chairs and the Centre for the Community Group
Rob Deutschmann stated, “Our community has once again shown what we can accomplish together. With incredible generosity and spirit, we didn’t just meet our fundraising goal but smashed it by raising $2.623 million vs. the goal of $2.15 million. Thank you to everyone who contributed — your support truly makes a lasting difference in our community.”
Michael Pley shared, “The campaign team was entirely made up of community volunteers that worked tirelessly with great support from the Township of North Dumfries. As a result, over 110 community members chose to generously support the campaign through sponsorships and donations. Of particular note, Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance Company stepped up to become our lead sponsor for the naming of the community building, a first of its kind for the Township, and MacNeil & Dodd Pharmacy is our lead donor for the new arena.
Russ Hutchings, the Centre for the Community Group (CCG) Chair added, “The CCG started this journey over 20 years ago, advocating for investment in recreational and community programming facilities in North Dumfries. With the Live and Play 1 Campaign, we achieved our first milestone with the building of the NDCC in 2011. With the Live and Play 2 Campaign, we can put an exclamation mark on our goal by the Spring of 2027 with the completion of the MacNeil Arena, the Greb Family Community Room and the 150th Anniversary Grant Committee Community Hall.
We owe a huge amount of thanks to all those who have contributed to both Live and Play 1 and 2, as this has allowed us to contribute well over $4 million to community facilities and organizations in North Dumfries.”
While the Live and Play 2 Team will wind down its solicitation of new donors as of March 15, 2026, we will continue to entertain further pledges and donations through to the end of the year, as a few donor naming rights are still available and we still have opportunities to put your name on a seat at the Ayr Farmers Mutual Insurance Company Arena.
If additional information is required, please visit our website www.ccgnd.ca. To discuss the campaign or for questions, contact Russ Hutchings at 519-731-8940.
Front Row: Wyatt Henrich and Mayor Sue Foxton.
Picture 2: Left to Right Back Row
Travis Sedore, Wyatt Henrich, Russ Hutchings, Rob Deutschmann.
Ayr Youth Hockey Participants Front (in no particular order):
Maddox, Eleanor, Nicholas, Tripp, Sadie, Felix, Ellea, Sawyer.
