Lumby residents were off the bench and on the ice for Family Day.
More than 300 people helped promote the community’s Kraft Hockeyville bid Monday at Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
“It’s blown my mind, the support,” said Angie Clowry, an event organizer.
Family Day festivities included hockey games between children and parents, a community skate and fun at the White Valley Community Centre.
Firefighters, paramedics, RCMP officers and Vernon Search and Rescue members also endorsed the Hockeyville campaign by turning on their lights and sirens.
“I was ecstatic to see the community turnout. The amount of people is really encouraging,” said Mayor Kevin Acton.
Among those on hand was Amanda Coombs, holding one-year-old Brogan.
“My kids may play here one day,” said Coombs when asked why she was in favour of Hockeyville and a potential $100,000 in upgrades to the arena.
And it’s not just Lumby residents getting involved.
“We’re all one big community and if Lumby gets $100,000, it benefits everyone,” said Akbal Mund, Vernon’s mayor.
“Kids from Vernon and Armstrong play hockey here.”
Also in the stands Monday was Jeniifer Ciccone, from Armstrong.”Everyone needs a good arena,” she said.
Armstrong hosted the Kraft Celebration Tour in 2011 and won $25,000 for Hassen Arena.
“They came and supported us so we want to support them,” said John Johnson, an Armstrong resident, of why he was in Lumby Monday.
Lacing up his skates for one of the games was Dave Oliver, who played for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars.
“This is everything,” said Oliver as he looked out at the young players, including his five and seven-year-old children.
“It sure takes you back and reminds you of what the game is all about.”
Hockeyville nominations are now closed and a top-10 list of communities from across Canada will be announced March 5.Voting for the top-10 will then take place March 13 and 14 and two entries with the most votes will be announced as the finalists March 19.Voting for the final two will run March 20 and 21 and the winner will be announced April 2.
“We have a really good shot at it,” said Clowry.
The village is preparing resources to have people vote if Lumby makes the top-10.”We will jump in with both feet and get everyone involved,” said Acton.
