West Lorne hoping for Kraft Hockeyville win to make arena less crowded
Global News
Voting is now open for Kraft Hockeyville, and with West Lorne decked out in gold and black, they are asking everybody to vote as much as possible.
Voting is now open for Kraft Hockeyville, and with West Lorne decked out in gold and black, the community is asking everybody to vote as much as possible.
West Lorne is one of four finalists in the national contest, which offers $250,000 to the winning community for upgrades to the arena. The winning community also receives the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game.
West Lorne is the only Ontario-based community left; the other finalists are Saint-Anselme, Que., Maple Ridge, B.C., and Ste. Anne, Man.
If West Lorne wins, the $250,000 prize would go toward upgrading the West Lorne Arena by expanding the warm area of the rink and installing a new entrance with larger doors, along with turning the existing skate-sharpening/office area into a dressing room.
Community officials say the current setup of four small dressing rooms is not enough during the busy hockey season, especially during tournaments. With record numbers in the under-7 division and 11 minor hockey teams plus a men’s and women’s league, West Lorne Minor Hockey Association president Kevin Summers says the prize from winning would be a great help.
“We’re looking to keep growing this organization and keep these kids coming in and we can’t do that with the space we have,” Summers said.
The campaign behind West Lorne was a last-minute affair Summers said, but the community rallied to get over 800 submissions in under a week to get the community into the final four.
“You really can’t put into words the unity that’s come from this and the support from everyone,” Summers said.