To the editor:
Re: Hockeyville Prize to be Spent on Highway Sign, Nov. 29 Capital News.
Last year during the Kraft Hockeyville competition I made a decision to do my part in helping our local hockey teams try to win the contest. I placed hundreds of votes in the preliminary ballots and again in the last round of the final five cities.
I firmly believed that the funds were to go to the local hockey arena for upgrades or hockey equipment.
Of course I was shocked to see how the West Kelowna municipal council has decided to use the $25,000 that was won for placing in the top five.
After reading the letters in Dec. 4 Capital News opposing council’s decision I decided to investigate the matter further. This is what I found:
Kraft Hockeyville is an annual competition developed by CBC Sports and sponsored by Kraft Foods, the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association in which communities across Canada compete to demonstrate their commitment to the sport of ice hockey.
The contest revolves around a central theme of community spirit, passion for hockey and Canada.
The winning community gets:
• $100,000 dedicated to upgrading their local home arena
• A Hockey Night in Canada broadcast in their community
• An NHL pre-season game hosted in their community arena.
The remaining communities in the top five receive:
• $25,000 dedicated to upgrading their local home arena
• A Hockey Night in Canada broadcast in their community.
How can the West Kelowna councillors not only justify taking away the money for minor sports but also adding $100,000 of our money on a sign?
I am certain there are more important things in our community to use the $100,000 for. The last thing West Kelowna needs is another sign.
I vote to give the money back to the kids and minor hockey in our community. Let us all vote again by letting council know what we think. Phone and express your displeasure in their decision and support minor hockey one more time.
Richard Callihan, West Kelowna
