Bobcaygeon takes a shot at becoming Canada’s next Hockeyville
Bobcaygeon is hoping to get on the map in a sporting way; as a winner of this year’s Kraft Hockeyville.
“It’s been hard hit after the spring when many businesses are ramping up for the summer season,” said Ward 2 Coun. Kathleen Seymour Fagan. “So many businesses rely on tourism to get them through. Something like this could really help the community out, even if it’s only to get some extra exposure.”
Seymour Fagan added the contest also has the potential to further bring the community together.
“Obviously arenas are not getting used quite as much as they used to,” she said, adding the Bobcaygeon Verulam Community Centre and Arena is also in the unique situation of experiencing a delay to ice installation as a result of the annual fall fair. “So we lose a little time in that respect.”
Although the municipality did complete some upgrades years ago, maintenance is an ongoing issue with the facility as it is one of the City’s oldest.
“It’s a classic, traditional arena, so there’s going to be challenges. But rarely do you see an arena like Bobcaygeon,” said Seymour Fagan, adding the facility is more than just an ice rink ... it’s regularly used for meetings, parties and celebrations including the annual Ontario Open Fiddle and Step Dance Contest. “And we don’t want to lose that because of some numbers.”
Everyone is encouraged to visit krafthockeyville.ca and support the arena’s nomination with stories, photos, videos and notes that will help earn “rally points.” Nomination stories count for 80 per cent with the remaining 20 per cent generated from rally points.
“The more people that get together and support the nomination for Bobcaygeon, the more chance we will have of being successful.”
The nomination process runs until Feb. 14 with judging taking place from Feb. 15 to March 19. The top four nominees will be announced on March 20. The final vote opens at 9 a.m. on April 9 and closes at 5 p.m. on April 10.
A local group put together a bid for Peterborough to be named Hockeyville in 2006.
That effort was led by Dr. Bob Neville and a committee that included former Examiner managing editor and noted hockey writer Ed Arnold.
“It’s just a sense of community pride. Many consider Peterborough to be the home of hockey,” Neville told Peterborough This Week at the time.
The finalists were Smithers, B.C., Barry’s Bay, Ont. and Salmon River, N.S., the eventual winner.
Salmon River hosted an exhibition game between the Canadiens and the Senators, received $25,000 for arena renovations and $10,000 to buy equipment for a local team.