A young hockey player skates at the Comox Valley Sports Arena.

A young hockey player skates at the Comox Valley Sports Arena.

Courtenay in the running for Kraft Hockeyville 2017

The Comox Valley Sports arena could host an NHL game and get $100,000 in upgrades

Courtenay could soon be named Kraft Hockeyville 2017.

The Vancouver Island community is one of 10 in the running for the top prize which includes hosting an NHL pre-season game in the Comox Valley Sports and Aquatic Centre and $100,000 in arena upgrades.

The second prize community will get $100,000 in arena upgrades and the next eight finalists will receive $25,000. Courtenay is the only B.C. community in the running.

“The Comox Valley is passionate about hockey and the local arena is what brings us together as fans, friends, family, and ultimately as a community. To keep the game alive in Comox Valley, our arena needs upgrades and repairs,” said Comox Valley Glacier King co-owner Marsha Webb.

According to Kraft Hockeyville, the [Comox Valley] arena is hoping to fund improvements for “the cold rink” by installing over-head heaters making it a much more comfortable place for visitors.

Voting for the top spot runs from March 12 at 9 a.m. to March 13 at 11:59 p.m. at Khv2017.ca. The top two communities that receive the most votes during the first voting period will move on to the final round for a chance to win the grand prize.

 

Comox Valley Record