Cochrane is the only contender in Alberta for this year’s Kraft Hockeyville grand prize of $250,000 and the chance to host an NHL pre-season game and they are hoping all Albertans will support their bid and vote today and tomorrow.
Voting opens today, March 29 and ends March 30 at 3 p.m. MST. Go to the Kraft Hockeyville website to register and vote. The number of votes you can make during the voting period is unlimited.
Also in contention are Wolseley, SK, Elliot Lake, ON and Enderby B.C.
The winner will be announced Saturday night.
If they win, Cochrane plans to use the money to upgrade their 50-year-old arena, also known as the ‘Old Barn’.
Cochrane’s video pitch can also be seen on the Kraft Hockeyville website.
Cochrane mayor Jeff Genung said the support so far has them optimistic they could win.
“The support we have received has been overwhelming,” said Genung. “I was at the Flames game last night (Mar. 24) with the Minister of Tourism and Sport on the jumbotron between periods to try to get the Sea of Red to support us. Really, it has been about bringing this back to Alberta. The province is behind us, and it is really cool to see all these people talking about Cochrane.”
He wants people to spam the vote to bring Hockeyville back to Alberta.
“I just think everyone needs to set aside some time on the 29th and 30th to vote continuously, non-stop,” said Genung. “Just vote, vote, vote; there is no limit to how many times you can vote. Communities build arenas, but it is the arena which really builds our community. It’s a good way for people to give back.”
