It was a full house at the Sandtrap Pub and Grill on Sunday night, with football fans’ eyes glued to the screens above the bar as the biggest night in American football unfolded.
At the same time, the Sandtrap hosted a sold-out fundraiser to support Red Roof Retreat and its multi-million-dollar expansion plans.
The Seattle Seahawks took on the New England Patriots and won 29-13, claiming their second Super Bowl victory.
Sandtrap co-owner Paul Dietsch joked that the already sold-out bar room might have looked a lot different if the Buffalo Bills were playing.
“Boy, if it was Bills, it’d be standing room only,” said Dietsch.
Sandtrap’s annual event is helping finance a $4.4 million expansion that aims to build a larger respite home for children and young adults with special needs, with an opening target of late October 2026 if donations keep coming.
“This is probably one of our busiest Super Bowls. We are sold out tonight,” said Dietsch.
The fundraiser offered ticket packages priced at $30, 20 to 25 raffle prizes on a table in the corner, a 50-50 draw and football squares, with all procedes going to Red Roof Retreat.
Ward Simpson, chairperson and fundraiser volunteer with Red Roof Retreat, said he hoped to sell about 100 ticket packages at $30 each, roughly $3,000, plus additional revenue from the raffles and draws, and he noted the fundraiser already exceeded expectations before the night ended.
“We exceeded expectations already, and there are still lots of people coming in,” said Simpson.
Red Roof Retreat is raising funds for a new fully accessible two-storey respite centre on Concession 6 to replace its current smaller bungalow and expand programs for children and young adults with special needs.
Plans call for a roughly 5,700-square-foot building, preservation and upgrade of the historic red barn on the site and added outdoor program space so services can continue year round while demand for care continues to grow.
“It’s a $4.4 million fundraising project, and the longer it takes to build, the more fundraising we need because prices keep going up,” said Simpson.
Steffanie Bjorgan, executive director of Red Roof Retreat, said the Sandtrap event has provided yearly support for Red Roof and has a record of exceeding her expectations for what they can raise.
“They represent what community is about, and they have done this for us every single year … it always exceeds anything we thought would happen, and that is what makes Niagara-on-the-Lake special,” said Bjorgan.
Matt Dietsch, Sandtrap co-owner, is also a parent with a child supported by Red Roof Retreat. He said he is proud to continue hosting this Super Bowl party for Red Roof because the charity plays a direct role for families who need its support.
“They are such an important part of the community, and my seven-year-old with special needs uses their programs, so I know firsthand how much they matter,” said Dietsch.
Dietsch said many attendees, most of whom are repeat customers at the Sandtrap, are less focused on the teams and more interested in enjoying the Super Bowl with community while supporting the charity.
Simpson commended Cornerstone Church for providing space for Red Roof during construction, with programs continuing there for clients.
Red Roof will also sell Valentine’s cookies at Cornerstone Church ahead of Valentine’s Day, with six chocolate chip cookies priced at $10. He said the sale raised more than $1,000 last year and will run from the church space where a Red Roof Retreat sign directs buyers to the back entrance.
