DIDSBURY - Despite a strong showing on Saturday at the arena for the rally, the town of Didsbury has fallen short of its bid for Kraft Hockeyville 2017.
The honour for top team in the west went to Ituna, Sask., while O'Leary, P.E.I. took top honours in the east. The two will now battle for Hockeyville in the final vote down, which ended last night (Monday). The final winner will be announced April 1 and will receive $100,000 for arena upgrades and the chance at an NHL pre-season game.
For cracking the Top 10, Didsbury received $25,000 in arena upgrades.
"Of course, we're disappointed that we did not make the Top 2 in the Kraft Hockeyville contest; however, we still feel like we won," said Nicole Aasen, manager of community services. "To make it to the Top 10 and be selected from almost 3,000 entries is amazing. Didsbury should be very proud."
Aasen said the Hockeyville nomination was a great boon for the town.
"This was a very positive event for our community," she said. "Of course, the $25,000 is wonderful; however, the overwhelming showing of spirit, support and positive energy was really what made us winners. Didsbury came together and worked together and should celebrate together. We represented this amazing community on a national stage and we represented well."
Aasen said the $25,000 that the town won would be invested in the Didsbury arena to ensure the facility continues to be an important part of the community.
