With the first season of the CBC’s Kraft Hockeyville reality TV series wrapping up Sunday, Fort Frances will take a cue from Atikokan and try to succeed Salmon River, N.S. next year.
“I think we should investigate starting a committee to put in a first-class proposal next year to become the next ‘Hockeyville,’” CAO Mark McCaig, a well-known avid hockey fan, said at Monday night’s council meeting.
He added Atikokan did very well in the show—making it to the final 10 on Friday night before being eliminated—and that success was encouraging.
What’s more, McCaig felt Fort Frances has impressive hockey credentials, boasting both Allan Cup and OFSAA championship teams in its rich history.
Mayor Dan Onichuk agreed putting together a proposal to compete for the “Hockeyville” title was “a great idea,” and that he and McCaig had talked about it earlier this year.
But with the OFSAA hockey showdown being hosted here this past March, the local volunteers and hockey enthusiasts who would be integral to such a proposal committee otherwise were tied up.
Mayor Onichuk agreed that “Atikokan did awesome” in the inaugural season of the show and applauded their success.
The CBC show wrapped up Sunday night with the Nova Scotia town of Salmon River being crowned “Hockeyville.”
In addition to the honourary title, that town will host an NHL exhibition game as well as receive money for rink repairs and hockey equipment.
Also at Monday night’s meeting, council:
•approved that the Fort Frances Non-Profit Innovative Homes Inc. board remain in existence until July 31, 2007 to fulfill its responsibility for the condominium unit home warranty period of two years;
•referred a request for a fuel discount from Supermarine Aircraft Inc. to the Operations and Facilities executive committee for its recommendation;
•approved an application for a private crossing at 715 Nelson St.;
•approved a report to ensure hourly rates for construction equipment and vehicles are in place for a three-year period until May 14, 2009;
•adopted a policy on use of the town’s corporate resources during election periods (this prohibits a municipality from making a contribution to a candidate, and prohibits a candidate from taking a contribution from a person who is not entitled to make one);
•agreed to receive the minutes of settlement for 561 Church St.;
•authorized that the sewer and water fund 2004 surplus amounts, equalling $37,752.83 and $141,029.99, respectively, be transferred to their respective sewer and water reserve funds;
•approved the allocation of the 2005 library operating surplus, in the amount of $6,488.94, to the library projects fund;
•tabled a joint submission by Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors regarding the Energy minister Dwight Duncan’s directive on electrical supply mix in Ontario;
•supported the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s position paper on Household Hazardous Waste/Special Waste; and
•supported a Parks and Recreation Ontario Infrastructure Funding request to the federal government.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
