Despite hundreds of stories and hundreds more images Nakusp did not make it into the top 10 finalists for the Kraft Hockeyville 2011 competition.
In the village’s division (Pacific), it lost out to Fort Nelson who submitted one story and two photos, and Mackenzie who submitted 264 stories and 423 images.
Nakusp’s final submission numbers were 482 stories and 851 images.
The loss has attracted comment from the main organizer behind Nakusp’s bid, Andrea Coates, as well as Nakusp Minor Hockey president Rusty Reimer and the village council.
“We were very disappointed to not make the cut,” Coates told the Arrow Lakes News. “Our town was behind the bid 100 per cent and it seems a shame to be overlooked.”
Coates doesn’t believe it’s all bad though, as the excitement and energy of the village during the bid is something to be proud of, she said.
“We do have it in us to make it happen and go all the way,” she said. “Maybe next year. Maybe.”
Reimer was also disappointed to hear the news.
“I’m kind of sad we didn’t make it to at least the top 10,” he said.
However, Reimer said the community should be praised for its dedication and hard work.
“I as president of Nakusp Minor Hockey would like to thank everyone in the community for coming together and showing their passion for hockey and community spirit,” he said. “Thank you Andrea Coates for bringing a hockey crazy town together to show the long history of hockey in this area and the fact that the whole community supports its arena.”
At the March 8 council meeting, Nakusp mayor Karen Hamling brought up the defeat during her report.
“We didn’t get Hockeyville unfortunately,” Hamling said. “I think it was great of the community to get behind it and it brought a lot of community spirit, and brought a lot of the community together.”
Hamling added on by thanking the crew who started the bid and said the village will just have to try again next year.
The full list of winners are as follows: Wolfe Island; Navan; Bentley; Brandon; Conception Bay South; Antigonish; Chateauguay; Saint Raymond; Fort Nelson; Mackenzie.
Kraft Hockeyville will announce the top five winners during another broadcast on March 19 on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.