Help nab title

Want to see an NHL pre-season game here and a visit by the CBC?
How about $100,000 in upgrades to the Memorial Sports Centre?
All that could become reality if Fort Frances is crowned as Kraft “Hockeyville” for 2014. But for it to happen, local residents will have to step up to put our community over the top.
Despite our rich hockey history, the annual “Hockeyville” competition hasn’t really caught on here since its inception in 2006. Kudos to Jon Glueheisen, who, undaunted, once again is taking the bull by the horns. Nominations only opened New Year’s Day but he’s already thrown our hat in the ring.
What’s needed now is others to help bolster our nomination with stories, photos, and other submissions so Fort Frances is among the top 16 chosen to vie for the “Hockeyville” title, which will be revealed March 8 during “Hockey Night in Canada.”
These 16 communities—eight from the east and eight from the west—then will compete over three online voting rounds during March leading up to the announcement of the grand prize winner April 5.
Second place wins $100,000 in arena upgrades, third and fourth place get $50,000 each in arena upgrades, while the remaining 12 communities win $25,000 each in arena upgrades, so there’s certainly plenty of incentive to ensure Fort Frances cracks the top 16.
We succeeded in bringing the “Kraft Celebration Tour” here last August. Then just last month, we banded together to propel the local “I Am Awesome (And I Know It!)” self-esteem and empowerment retreat for young women to a top-10 finish in the Aviva Community Fund competition.
Let’s showcase our community spirit again and win the “Hockeyville” crown.
It won’t be easy but by getting the ball rolling right off the start, Mr. Glueheisen has given us plenty of time to put together a superb nomination worthy of making the top 16 prior to the Feb. 9 closing date.
There’s no reason why we can’t. Visit krafthockeyville.ca, find our community by entering Memorial Sports Centre or Fort Frances, and join the nomination.
“Hockeyville” is a prestigious title—and every little bit is needed to help nab it.