Dave Sullivan
Northern News Services

Hay River (Feb 04/02) - When the Doug Wieterman Hall was named, it was news to Doug Wieterman.

He had no idea what was going on until friends dragged him to an opening ceremony, Jan. 25.

A surprised Doug Wieterman. - Dave Sullivan/NNSL photo

Wieterman was greeted by a couple of dozen supporters in the hall, which is an addition to Hay River's Ben Sivertz Arena. Members of the Rusty Blades oldtimers hockey team built the viewing room on their own time.

Wieterman put in the most time, but he was among a handful of other volunteers who worked 1,600 hours to do the job. It was the volunteers who chose to name the hall after Wieterman.

"Thanks, but a lot of people worked on this," Wieterman said, reluctantly accepting the honour.

Hay River's recreation director, Ron Cook, describes Wieterman as "a leader. He makes things happen."

As part of the arena, the new room belongs to the town, which chipped in $80,000 worth of work. The team raised an additional $22,000.

The Doug Wieterman Hall was an afterthought. After the club built a locker room addition downstairs, it was decided that building upwards made sense.