Pond hockey is coming to Southern Manitoba. A local group is turning the large Chortitz Pond into a host of hockey rinks for a multi-team fundraising tournament on March 3rd.

"Just always had a dream and always thought it would be fun to do," said Wiebe. "So, we just sat down and figured it out and now we're doing it."

Money raised will be going toward keeping the Chortitz rink in operation, as well as donated to the Pembina Valley Bible Camp.

Wiebe said the money being donated to the Chortitz rink will go toward the general upkeep and operation of the building, while the Bible Camp will be using their money to assist with their operations as well.

Wiebe noted everyone can enter a hardest shot competition for just a couple of dollars with the winner taking home a new hockey stick.

The tournament will be held at Chortitz Pond located a mile south of the village, then a mile west from there. Wiebe noted the pond is used by farmers to irrigate potato crops. With this being the first year of the event the organizing group would like to see the event grow each year. This group has measured out the pond and there is potentially enough room for around 60 rinks to be constructed, opening the door for one massive tournament each year.

"There will be a bunch of rinks on the ice and we'll have a tent set up out there to get warm," said Event Organizer Kevin Wiebe.

Teams will be comprised of between five to eight players for a 4-on-4 tournament and registration for each team will be $350. You can sign up your team by emailing pembinavalleypondhockey@gmail.com or by calling Wiebe at (204)-362-3132.

At this time they currently have around seven teams and are hoping to increase that number to around 15 if possible. Wiebe said they'll take team registrations all the way until March 2nd, but the sooner the better would be preferred.