Elliot Lake among finalists in contest to win $250K in arena improvements

Elliot Lake makes the final 4 Elliot Lake is among four finalists in a contest to win $250K in arena upgrades and the chance to host an NHL pre-season game.

Elliot Lake is among four finalists in a contest to win $250,000 in arena upgrades and the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game.

The community’s Centennial Arena has been closed since September 2023 because of structural problems.

Also in the running for the Kraft Hockeyville title are Enderby, B.C., (Enderby Arena); Cochrane, Alta., (Cochrane Arena) and Wolseley, Sask., (Wolseley Sportsplex).

Kraft Hockeyville has awarded more than $4.8 million to 97 communities in the past 18 years in support of revitalizing Canada’s aging sports and recreation infrastructure.

“The excitement hockey fans have for this program never ceases to amaze me,” Kraft Heinz president Simon Laroche said in a news release Monday.

“Their dedication fosters inclusivity and accessibility on the ice, ensuring that the joy of the sport can be experienced by every Canadian.”

This year’s winner, and each of the three runner-up communities, will receive $10,000 in brand new sets of hockey equipment to help youth play the sport, courtesy of the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.

Canadians can visit krafthockeyville.ca and cast their votes to crown the winner of Kraft Hockeyville 2024.

Voting opens on March 29 at 9 a.m. ET and closes on March 30 at 5 p.m. ET. Votes per person are unlimited but can only be cast on the website during the voting phase.

The winner will be announced live on Hockey Night in Canada the evening of March 30 after the voting phase concludes.