An NHL pre-season game, and $100,000 of upgrades to your local hockey rink could be coming to an Okanagan community.
Kraft Hockeyville has officially opened up nominations for the 2024 edition of the annual, community-based hockey initiative.
Crown your community #KraftHockeyville 2024!
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) January 15, 2024
Nominations are now open – apply by February 18 for the chance to host an @NHL pre-season game and receive $250,000 in arena upgrades: https://t.co/YAr570BqWH pic.twitter.com/ch4Nnkg4QO
The last time an Okanagan community won was in 2016, when Lumby received $100,000 for upgrades to the Pat Duke Memorial Arena, which included an addition of a female change room. It also hosted a pre-season NHL game that year, with the LA Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers.
There are five phases to the nomination process. The first (open now until Thursday, Feb. 18) is the nominate and rally phase, where individuals can nominate their community, with a story that showcases the need for why they require upgrades, and the commitment to hockey it has shown.
After nominations, there will be a judging period, from Feb. 19 to March 9, before the top four are announced.
Individuals can then vote on the top four before a winner will be crowned on March 30.
Last years winner was West Lorne, Ontario. Besides Lumby, North Saanich (in 2015) and Terrace (2009) have been the other B.C. communities chosen in Hockeyville’s 18-year history.
With recent news on the closing of Enderby’s Memorial Arena this season due to a refrigeration issue, this could be the chance to nominate the hard-luck town.
For more information, visit hockeyville.kraftcanada.ca.
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