Osoyoos resident Cathy Martins once again is leading the effort to have Osoyoos recognized as CBC Kraft Hockeyville. (Richard McGuire photo)
A final reminder to all Osoyoos and area residents that they are invited to the Sonora Community Centre on Saturday night to see if this community has made the final 16 in the Kraft Hockeyville 2014 contest.
During the second period intermission of the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast that begins at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Saturday, CBC announcers will reveal the top eight communities from western Canada and top eight communities from eastern Canada to advance into the finals of Kraft Hockeyville 2014.
As most local residents no doubt remember two years ago, Osoyoos was one of the three finalists for British Columbia and made the top 15 in the national contest.
The labour dispute between the National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association resulted in the Kraft Hockeyville contest being cancelled last season.
During a presentation to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday, Gerald Davis, the town’s director of community services, said the town has worked closely with local organizer Cathy Martins to do everything possible to ensure our community will be a strong contender to make the national finals once again.
The town printed posters, which Martins picked up and distributed across town, posted news items regarding the Kraft Hockeyville contest on the town’s website, circulated an e-news bulletin, booked the gymnasium for Saturday’s announcement and send information to Osoyoos Coyotes’ owner Randy Bedard that has been posted on the team’s website, said Davis.
The top prize for the community named Kraft Hockeyville 2014 is $100,000 for arena upgrades with an opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game. All 16 communities that are named as finalists on Saturday night will receive at least $25,000 for arena upgrades, said Davis.
If Osoyoos is named a finalist on Saturday night, local residents can start voting immediately as all Canadians will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite community.
The first voting window opens Saturday night and continues until midnight on Monday, he said.
Local residents are urged to visit the website at www.krafthockeyville.cbc.ca and become a member heading into Saturday’s announcement.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
