A town in Saskatchewan has opted to forego submitting a bid for Kraft Hockeyville and has instead turned its efforts toward promoting Fernie’s bid.

Wilkie, Sask., a town of 1,301 souls located about 45 km southwest of Battleford, is rallying for Fernie following the tragic ammonia leak incident at Fernie Memorial Arena.

“We had thought about putting another bid in for Hockeyville this year. We thought of how we could do things better, and we were ready to go ahead and nominate Wilkie again. That was until Kathy Heilman read the nomination put in by Fernie, B.C.,” begins a Facebook note from Wilkie’s Hockeyville bidders.

“Fernie has a tragic story. Three of the rink workers were killed from an ammonia leak in their rink. Their hockey teams now are using local rinks to play in, and Memorial Arena in Fernie remains empty and not useable. Last year when we went for Hockeyville 2017, a lady from Sylvan Lake gave us advice on what could help us get to our goal. This year, we would like to pay it forward. #beccatoldmeto,” the Wilkie page notes.

“Wilkie, Sask. and area! Round up the troops! Let’s help Fernie, B.C. out! Nominate them; help them get to the top 10! Then we will all vote for them. We’ve suffered a loss and been displaced before, now it’s our turn to help them skate on their home ice again! Come on let’ Help Fernie, B.C.” it concludes.

Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka is also urging regional residents and folks beyond to show their support for Fernie by taking a little time and submitting a brief story to Hockeyville explaining why Fernie deserves $250,000 for upgrades to its arena.

“As you all know, Fernie is still going through an enormous tragedy with the recent disaster at the Fernie Memorial Arena. We have an opportunity to bring Fernie back the arena they have lost due to this disaster with Kraft’s Hockeyville contest; $250,000 for upgrades to the winning city’s arena,” Shypitka stated on Facebook.

“I would sincerely appreciate everyone going to the following link to register and spend the five minutes to write your story about Fernie. You have until February 11 at midnight to do this. Do it now. Fernie deserves it. PLEASE SHARE… you can be from anywhere in Canada,” he added.

Go here and help Fernie in its quest.

Learn more about Wilkie

Lead image from Wilkie’s Hockeyville Facebook page.

e-KNOW

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