Special to the Times
Osoyoos Times
The Oliver & District Arena, one of the oldest facilities in the province, is half a century old. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the grand opening back in 1969, and to kick off a year-long celebration of this special milestone, Oliver Parks and Recreation is hosting the Montreal Canadiens Alumni Tour for a special Charity Hockey Game on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019.
Following a special opening ceremony involving the surviving members of the original Building Committee and a ceremonial puck drop, the Montreal Canadiens will face off against the “Oliver Big Horns,” a team of local players formed for this specific event, for three periods of Canada’s favourite game.
The local team name was chosen to pay homage to the many players who proudly wore the Big Horns jersey for many years when the Oliver Arena was built, even representing Oliver on an international tour to Sweden in the 1970s.
The game will also feature intermission contests and activities, a beverage garden, and memorabilia displays from many years of sport at the arena.
There are several ways for the public to get involved in this special celebration:
1. Bring the game to life by being an event sponsor:
Oliver Parks and Recreation is looking for all ranges of funding partners, from “Title Sponsor” ($5,000) to “Friend of the Event” ($500), to help cover the costs of bringing the Montreal Canadiens Alumni tour to Oliver and throwing a 50th anniversary party worthy of the experiences and benefits the Oliver & District Arena has provided the community since 1969. Sponsorship package information including recognition and reward levels is available on the Oliver Parks and Recreation website, oliverrecreation.ca.
2. Play hockey against NHL greats on home ice!
There is an opportunity for up to 20 players (35 years of age or older) and two coaches to form the Oliver Big Horns team that will face off against the Montreal Canadiens for this special event. As this will be the premier experience offered during the event, players are counted on to contribute financially in order to claim their spot on the team. The registration fee is $500 and will include a commemorative jersey, a VIP ticket to the pre-game meet and greet with the Montreal Canadiens Alumni, automatic entry into a special draw for signed memorabilia, two general admission tickets, the chance to play hockey on home ice against NHL hockey greats, and knowing that your participation is supporting the fundraising efforts for capital improvements at the Oliver Arena.
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To ensure that everyone who wants to play gets an equal shot at the opportunity and that a team with positions filled is formed, interested players are asked to go to the Oliver Parks and Recreation website, oliverrecreation.ca, and fill out the entry form by the deadline Monday, January 7. These entries will be used for a selection lottery on January 8 to form the team. Selected players will have until January 11 to confirm their registration with payment.
3. Get the “Thrill of a Lifetime” with the Montreal Canadiens Alumni!
The Montreal Canadiens are offering two hockey players (35 years of age or older) and one coach the “Thrill of a Lifetime” opportunity to join the Alumni team for the game on Friday, Feb 8, 2019. The registration fee is $1,000 and will include a jersey, VIP ticket to the pre-game meet and greet with the Montreal Canadiens Alumni, automatic entry into a special draw for signed memorabilia, two general admission tickets, and the chance to play hockey on home ice alongside NHL hockey greats. These three opportunities will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. Players interested in purchasing a Thrill of a Lifetime opportunity are asked to contact Carol Sheridan, Manager of Parks and Recreation, at 250-498-4985 or [email protected].
4. Come to watch the game with your friends and family!
Advance General Admission and VIP tickets go on sale at the Oliver Community Centre on Tuesday, Dec. 11 and can be purchased in person with cash, debit or credit or over the phone (250-498-4985) with a credit card. Tickets are $10 until Jan. 31 and $15 From Feb. 1 to 8. Children under two years are free. VIP tickets, including a draw for autographed memorabilia and a meet and greet with the Alumni players, are also available for $50.
Any proceeds from the event will go towards capital improvements to the Oliver & District Arena. Although the building structure itself has at least 25 years of life remaining, the brine lines under the slab that allow for the surface to be cooled for ice and the concrete slab itself have reached their end-of-life and are prematurely failing. The arena washrooms and dressing rooms lack accessibility and need updating, plus the original bleachers, stairs and handrails up to the mezzanine level present concerns that need to be addressed. A concept design and budget to address these concerns as well as other potential improvements to the facility are currently being developed and will be on display in 2019 for the community to review. The work is tentatively scheduled for 2020, dependent on confirmed project funding.
For more information about the event or the Oliver & District Arena facility please contact Carol Sheridan, Manager of Parks and Recreation, at 250-498-4985 or [email protected].
