Could the Comox Valley be crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2014?
If so, they’ll grab the lion’s share of the $1 million in prizing that will be awarded to 16 communities across Canada.
The grand prize is $100,000 in arena upgrades and an NHL pre-season game played in the local community. There is one prize of $100,000 in arena upgrades, two prizes of $50,000 each in arena upgrades for third and fourth place, and 12 prizes of $25,000 each in arena upgrades.
Communities across Canada are invited to start preparing their submissions to vie for the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2014 with the nomination period opening Jan. 1, 2014. Submissions will be accepted until Feb. 9, 2014. For contest rules and complete program details, visit KraftHockeyville.ca. Kraft Hockeyville can also be found on Facebook (Facebook.com/KraftHockeyville) and Twitter (@hockeyville).
A recent survey commissioned by Kraft Canada reveals the majority (91 per cent) of Canadian hockey parents agree their local rink is the social hub of their community, yet two-thirds say these arenas are in need of repairs or upgrades. Over 90 per cent (91 per cent) of those surveyed say their overall community would be negatively impacted if their rink were to close due to disrepair.
“Local rinks are at the heart of Canadian communities but we may run the risk of losing many of these precious centres if they are not repaired or restored for future generations,” said Jack Hewitt, vice-president of Marketing Insight & Services, Kraft Canada. “Kraft Hockeyville engages Canadians to preserve the spirit and passion for hockey across the nation, and that passion starts at the home rink.”
A former NHLer agrees. “I wouldn’t be who I am today without my local rink. Even now, it remains a huge part of my life,” said Wendel Clark, Canadian hockey legend and Kraft Hockeyville 2014 spokesperson. “Kraft Hockeyville helps people keep things afloat. It helps towns keep rinks, fix them up and keep them community oriented.”
– Kraft Hockeyville 2014
