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Tumbler Ridge, B.C. has finished second in this year’s Kraft Hockeyville contest with the top prize going to Taber, Alta., but community members say the competition has helped lift spirits following a deadly school shooting earlier this year.
The annual contest sees communities across Canada win cash to fix up their local rinks, with the winner receiving a $250,000 grand prize and chance to host a pre-season NHL game. The runner-up will also receive $100,000 for rink upgrades along with $10,000 in new equipment.
The winning southern Alberta town lost the use of its aging hockey arena after an explosion last December.
In Tumbler Ridge, hundreds of residents poured into the community centre arena Saturday for a day-long watch party, filling the space with jerseys, signs and balloons ahead of the live announcement on Hockey Night in Canada.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka said seeing the community come together was a powerful moment.
He said watching kids running around and enjoying themselves was something the town needed, calling Tumbler Ridge a strong and resilient community.
Krakowka also congratulated Taber on the win and said that cash prize they are set to receive will still go a long way in improving the arena for local players.
Former NHL player Andrew Ference and Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins also joined community members on Saturday expressing strong hope that the northern B.C. community would win.
Hundreds of Tumbler Ridge, B.C., residents poured into the town’s community centre arena Saturday for a day-long watch party ahead of the live announcement of this year’s Kraft Hockeyville contest winner. The annual contest sees communities across Canada win cash to fix up their local rinks. As the CBC’s Matt Preprost reports, while the community won second place, many in the community are keeping the love for the game strong.
Higgins said he spent hours on the ice with local children ahead of the announcement.
“I had a smile on my face for five hours. All the kids were laughing and having a good time,” he said.
“I think this people coming together and supporting the people that are hurting … that makes everybody feel better.”
The community of about 2,400 is still recovering after eight people were killed by a shooter in February.
Five of the victims of the shooting were just 12 and 13 years old, including 13-year-old Ezekiel Schofield who is memorialized on the Tumbler Ridge Raptors team website as “goofy, fun and truly one of the kindest kids we ever had.”
Twelve-year-old Maya Gebala, described as having “a larger-than-life personality that fills a room,” was shot numerous times and remains in hospital, still recovering from serious injuries. She’s recently been moved out of intensive care and into a rehabilitation unit.
In the aftermath, the town’s community centre — which houses its arena, pool, library and several other amenities — became a sanctuary for residents.
Two Grande Prairie residents are travelling to Tumbler Ridge, B.C., scene of a mass shooting left nine dead, to bring supplies to the grieving community. Also, Alberta’s premier and Edmonton’s mayor offer words of support. CBC’s Sarah Reid reports.
It was a place to gather to grieve, see mental health counsellors and take part in activities privately, out of the international media spotlight.
Theresa Nevills, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force member from Vancouver Island, nominated Tumbler Ridge for the contest.
She called it a chance for Canadians to wrap Tumbler Ridge “in a big hug from all of Canada.”
“They’ve come so far in such a short period of time,” said Nevills, who travelled more than 1,200 kilometres north to be part of the announcement.
She said the community is still feeling “a warm hug” from across the country.
“To go from where they were to where they are today … you can see their spirits and joy. It didn’t matter if it was first or second place.”
Longtime resident Kevin Slaney said the support reflects the kind of place Tumbler Ridge is.
“This town is just awesome,” he said. “The people get together and they do anything for anybody.”
“It was all doom and gloom … but now Theresa’s done an awesome job in bringing happiness back here to the town,” he added, referring to Nevills.
The Town of Taber also acknowledged Tumbler Ridge in its announcement, pointing to the northern B.C. community’s strength.
“To the community of Tumbler Ridge, your story moved this country. Your strength and your love for your community are undeniable,” the town said in a statement.
“Congratulations on an incredible second place finish.”
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