Wilkie named Kraft Hockeyville finalist

The town of Wilkie is hoping to make history by being the first Saskatchewan community named Kraft Hockeyville.

The community located south of North Battleford was one of four finalists announced Sunday for the competition.

Town administrator Lana Gerein said she was ecstatic when she heard the news.

“I was so happy,” she said. “To be one of four finalists out of thousands of nominations is a huge boost to our community.”

The annual competition gives communities across Canada a chance to upgrade their hockey arenas.

The winner will receive $250,00 and host an NHL preseason game.

Wilkie’s rink was damaged by an electrical fire in 2015.

Although they were able to get the rink back up and running in 2016, Gerein says the facility is still outdated.

“Much of the rink dates back to the 1970s,” she said. “The dressing rooms especially needs some major updating.”

No Saskatchewan community has never won the title of Kraft Hockeyville in the thirteen years of the competition. Lafleche and Ituna failed to win the grand prize in previous years.

Gerein said she is hopeful the rest of Saskatchewan will rally around the town.

“We are really hoping the whole province will get behind us on making Wilkie the first Saskatchewan community to win,” she said.

Voting begins March 29 with the announcement of the winner on March 30.