Elliot Lake resident Christine Brunet is urging the community to send in their pitches for Kraft Hockeyville funding for Centennial Arena, and do it fast.
The deadline for entries for the $250,000 cash prize is Sunday, Feb. 9.
Brunet has submitted her own ideas on the Hockeyville website, along with a number of other city residents.
She said Elliot Lakers need to direct the Hockeyville money to Centennial Arena since, despite structural woes that materialized in 2019, it remains the city's only indoor ice service.
"It's a matter of building our community,” she said. “As a realtor, I see it all the time. That's what attracts people from out of town to locate here, our sense of community."
"I did submit a story that was accepted and therefore can now have people rally to add photos videos and support for the Elliot Lake cause,” she added.
"The biggest thing is getting the word out so people can get on the link and support the page. This way we'll have a many nominations as we can to show that we as a community are working to be seriously looked at for the $250,000," Brunet explained.
Brunet said the money is not the most important thing.
"Most people have taken the twist of the economics of the city which is why we feel the arena would benefit from this money. I personally feel the money should go into the arena we have as we do not necessarily have a timeline on the new hub. There is still much that can be done in the interim for the existing arena. It is an active hub for so many of our youth and senior population."
"The story that I sent was not about the economics but was more about a personal story of keeping hockey alive in Elliot Lake,” she concluded.
In 2019, Elliot Lake City Council spent more than $1 million refurbishing the old city-owned arena on Spruce Avenue hoping to add another five years to its life.
Along with the quarter million dollars, the Hockeyville contest also offers a number of other prizes for Canadian town and cities, including an NHL team coming to the winning community to play a game.
The Town of Blind River is also mounting an online campaign for the 2020 Hockeyville prize.
You can get more information at the Hockeyville website.
There are also explanations about prizes, rules and regulations.
Here are Christine Brunet's submissions:
1. Tell us about your community’s spirit as well as its passion for hockey. Can you describe examples of how this came to life?
As a hockey mom for many years I loved the times I could spend with my sons at the arena where the team became family. My youngest son was an avid hockey player and his team played together from the age of 6 yr novice right through to 3 rd year midget .They weren’t just a team they were truly “ family” and nothing proved it more then when they lost their best friend and team mate at age 17 over the summer of 2017 as they were headed into their 3rd year midget season and many graduating from high school . Their coach was like a father to many and had coached them since Bantam . The loss of this team mate struck the hockey community and team so hard . The grief was deep and as parents we worried the boys at such tender ages would turn to things that all parents dread to get through the pain but instead something else happened ! These boys became even closer , they played with in honour of their fallen team mate every time they hit the ice . #cpc18 ❤️ #Elliot lake
2. Tell us about your arena. Why is it important to your community and how would the $250,000 be best used to upgrade the arena?
Our community needs a hockey arena that can be the place to “gather, rejoice and cheer.” Elliot Lake has its share of tragedies and it’s time we have something to rejoice about ! Hockey builds that in a community like ours. The arena is the “hub” for so many and with the aging infrastructure we do desperately need help financially. Our senior community love to come and support our players but they need a more “senior friendly” arena with seating/access, etc.
3. Why should your community be the next Kraft Hockeyville?
Elliot Lake is the “Jewel in the Wilderness” but to many Elliot Lakers the arena is where the best memories are made and with the financial hardships we have experienced with mine closures/then a mall collapsing and the loss of two precious lives, it’s time for Elliot Lake to receive some “good”, it’s time to begin to see the potential we have and this community. Would be so grateful if we were chosen as Kraft Hockeyville.