It’s a large undertaking, but Gerry Ortner is ready for the challenge.
Ortner, vice president with the Quesnel and District Minor Hockey Association, said the benefits of hosting the peewee AAA provincial championship are too big to turn down such an opportunity.
Slated for March 2012, the tournament will see at least 11 teams compete for the provincial title.
“I felt strongly it was something we should do,” Ortner said.
“We [QDMHA] rely heavily on sponsorships and this is a way of returning the favour.
“Having about 500 people spending five to six nights here will have a positive impact on the economy.”
Another benefit, Ortner, explained, would be the savings in travel costs for the local peewee rep team and their parents.
Hosting the tournament means the peewee rep team parents will not have to fork out at least $2,000 they would normally if they had to travel elsewhere to attend the provincial championship.
“It’s just one less expense for the families,” Ortner said.
Hosting a provincial championship is no small task, but Ortner has already organized two tournaments which gives him a foot up on the organizing of this tournament, but he wants to make this tournament special, something the young hockey players will remember.
Although the championship is still many months away, Ortner said there is much to be done and is counting on the support of the local hockey community as well as the businesses and municipal governments for their support.
The challenge in organizing such an event is to get a core group of volunteers with special skills.
“It takes the right group of people,” Ortner said.
The QDMHA will incur costs in hosting the provincial championships, including opening ceremonies, salaries for the on-ice officials, hosting a banquet for the players and coaches and paying for ice time.
Some of these costs will be offset by a $5,000 provincial grant the QDMHA received from Hosting B.C.
Ortner expects sponsorships from local businesses will help defray costs associated with hosting the tournament and has already received letters of support from the Quesnel and District Chamber of Commerce, West Fraser Mills Ltd., Travelodge and the City of Quesnel.
Although Ortner is confident he can round up the right volunteers and secure enough money to run the tournament, he wants to create a memorable event and over the next several weeks will be looking for way to make the tournament a special tournament.
“I want the kids and their families to leave with a good taste in their mouths,” Ortner said.
“I want them to leave with good memories.”
If interested in volunteering call 250-991-0082, or email qdmha@shaw.ca.
Free hockey helmet
Chevrolet and General Motors Canada have an offer you can’t refuse, a free hockey helmet.
The Chevrolet Hockey Helmet Program is for any five-year old child registered in a Canadian minor hockey association, including the Quesnel and District Minor Hockey Association.
The offer runs from August 1, 2011 to February 28, 2012.
To register for the program visit www.gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/chevrolet/chevrolet-hockey/overview
