St. Clements making a bid for Hockeyville berth

Bill Atwood Observer Staff

THE ST. CLEMENTS

HOCKEY COMMUNITY is starting to rally around the idea that it could be the next Hockeyville. The nomination is being led by resident Lisa Jacobs.

“Our sons are at that rink a lot playing hockey. We go public skating there all the time, and we also took in the St. Clements parade for the first time this year and it kind of finished off there with the Lions Club. I’ve always known about Hockeyville, so I just thought this arena could really use some TLC, so why not enter us in and see if we could win?” Jacobs said.

Each year Hockeyville, sponsored by Kraft, provides the winning community with $250,000 for arena upgrades. The winning arena also hosts an NHL pre-season game. Three runners-up will receive $25,000.

The community’s “rally page” on the Hockeyville website has more than 60 entries from community members.

“This arena is the hub of our little town. From sporting events to parties in the community centre, everyone knows that it will be a good time,” one post said.

“This arena has had the community and passion for hockey my whole life. Growing up in St. Clements, the arena was a go-to. [There were] always people there to help you and teach you, from power skating to practices,” said another.

The upgrades are sorely needed at the arena, Jacobs said.

“It just seems like we always have issues. There are doors that don’t open; there are certain things in the dressing rooms, the bathrooms are really outdated, very small. And the main lobby entrance is like really congested when one team or two teams are leaving and two new teams are coming in – it’s pretty tight in there, so we just thought some of this money could help to benefit and just improve the arena a little bit,” Jacobs explained.

However, Danny Roth, director of recreation for Wellesley Township, said it would be tough for him

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