Community is a winner without Hockeyville victory

Feb 06, 2008

Whether or not the Town of Huntsville is chosen as the 2008 Kraft Hockeyville winner, the community can take a great deal of pride in its efforts.
From the 40 youngsters who helped to spell ‘Hockeyville’ at Muskoka Heritage Place to the businesses that contributed to the project with signs, to the fans who wore blue and gold at Sunday’s junior hockey game and the people who submitted 52 stories toward the campaign – making the town the town second in Ontario and third in the country – everyone should feel a twinge of pride for the work they have put into this campaign.
Huntsville has always been recognized for its overwhelming community pride. You only have to look as far as the number of volunteers who help with other events, such as the Muskoka Triathlon or the Terry Fox Run, to see that our residents are ready to assist when their town needs them.
However, the road to victory in the 2008 Hockeyville campaign is not over yet. If the town is selected among the top 10, people are allowed to vote at www.cbc.ca/hockeyville for their community.
If the town is successful in winning the right to be called Hockeyville, Huntsville will receive $100,000 toward arena upgrades and an in-town Hockey Night in Canada CBC broadcast.
The money for arena upgrades would be welcomed with the town council debating the merits of a second arena pad, and the publicity from being shown during a spot on Hoc key Night In Canada would be well be worth our efforts.
Regardless of how the voting comes out in the next few weeks, Huntsville has proved itself to be more than just Hockeyville. The people have shown we are a united community willing to do what is best for all involved.
B.C.