Sylvan Lake continues to shoot for Kraft Hockeyville 2014 as the clock runs down.
Nominations for the title and $100,000 in arena upgrades close on Sunday. The top 16 communities from across Canada will be announced on March 8.
As of Friday afternoon, the Medican Multi-plex in Sylvan Lake was leading the west bracket with 874 nomination stories, followed closely by the Shaw Centre (Salmon Arm, B.C.) with 622 uploads and the Castlegar and District Community Complex with 443 uploads (Castlegar, B.C.) rounding out the third spot.
Sylvan Lake Mayor Sean McIntyre said shooting for Kraft Hockeyville is an important step in the rebuilding process after the town lost its oldest rink when the roof collapsed under heavy snow in January.
“Sylvan Lakers are looking for a way to help with the rebuilding process right now and Hockeyville is a great way to kick that off,” said McIntyre.
“It’s really encouraging and inspiring to see thousands of people getting together and putting their weight behind the Hockeyville cause, especially those who aren’t hockey players.”
McIntyre said there have been nominations that start with, “I am not a hockey player but …” and that has been the most surprising so far.
“Then they will go on to say how much the arena and the facility means to the community and how they want to see it rebuilt for the sake of the entire community,” said McIntyre.
That’s the stuff that really gets your heart going as a leader, to see your own community come together for the greater good.”
One of the top-rated Sylvan Lake stories comes from a person who says the arena shaped him into the person he is today. Others shared stories, photos and videos showing how the old rink was a focal point in their community.
Recently Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins used his floor time in the House of Commons to recite a poem about the old rink and to encourage people to vote for Sylvan Lake.
The winning community will score $100,000 in arena upgrades, a visit from the CBC and the chance to host a pre-season NHL game.
To share a story about Sylvan Lake, go to www.krafthockeyville.ca and search Medican Multi-plex.
crhyno@bprda.wpengine.com
