It’s now up to residents to vote Salmon Arm to the Hockeyville title.
Voting for the event officially opens at 7 p.m. tonight, as it was announced that Salmon Arm is one of the 16 finalists during Saturday night’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada.
This year’s edition of the annual contest is taking on an East vs. West theme.
Eight communities from Western Canada and eight communities from Eastern Canada are in the running for over $1 million in prizes, including money for arena upgrades as well as the chance to host a preseason NHL game.
Salmon Arm is up against Kimberly, Osoyoos, Bruderhiem, Alta; St. Albert, Alta; Sylvan Lake, Alta; Swift Current, Sask. and Arborg, Man. in the western division.
In the east, the finalists are: Richmond, Ont.; Prescott, Ont.; Beeton, Ont.; Exeter, Ont.; Chicoutimi, Que.; Kingston, N.S.; Amherst, N.S. and Central Bedeque, P.E.I.
All 16 communities announced on Saturday are guaranteed at least $25,000 for arena upgrades.
The communities that survive the first round of voting, which is open now and ends on Monday, March 10 at 9 p.m., will whittle the field down to just four entries, two from the east and two from the west.
Those four communities are guaranteed $50,000, and will continue to be in the running for the overall crown, which will net the winner $100,000, plus a visit from CBC and a preseason NHL game.
Voting is simple, just go online to www.krafthockeyville.cbc.ca which is available on computers and mobile devices. Or vote by phone at 1-866-533-8066. Salmon Arm residents can vote multiple times from the same device.
