Honeywood makes Kraft Hockeyville finals
Jeanette McFarlane said everyone is in shock but super excited about making it to the finals of the Kraft Hockeyville contest.
“We didn’t think at the beginning of this journey that we’d ever make it this far but we’re super, super proud of what we’ve accomplished,” McFarlane said.
She described it as a roller coaster of emotion as Honeywood climbed to the top. When the contest closed the Honeywood arena had 22,672 points, putting them at third place. However, entries are evaluated on how compelling their story is so the points alone do not necessarily determine the finalists.
As a member of the Honeywood arena fundraising committee, McFarlane is leading the charge in the national contest.
She has been posting videos on the My Honeywood Facebook page, sharing stories of the arena’s 113-year history from the community including those who built the arena, the people who
have kept it going, and two NHL players who skated there in their youth – Aaron Downey and Dan Ellis. During the contest community members shared their stories about the importance of the arena as a place for recreation and community gatherings.
The Honeywood team was gathered at the North Dufferin Community Centre on March 15 when the four finalists were announced.
The grand prize includes $250,000 towards arena upgrades and a chance to host an NHL pre-season hockey game.
“If we’re not the grand prize winner, we’re already winners because the three other finalists all receive $25,000 for arena upgrades and $10,000 for equipment to the minor hockey association,” said McFarlane. “No matter the outcome of the program Honeywood wins, the community wins, and the kids win.”
The money and heightened profile is a boost to the fundraising committee’s goal to raise $10 million by 2031 to complete
arena renovations in multiple phases. Beginning at 9 a.m. on April 4 there is a nationwide 32-hour window for voting. Residents of Canada 14 and older can vote an unlimited number of times until 5 p.m. on April 5.
“Every vote counts and what happens is after 5 p.m. they tally them and that very same night, during Hockey Night in Canada, at 7 p.m. we find out who the winner is.”
Community members will be gathered at the arena for a watch party with a live broadcast on a giant screen, and the local reaction will be televised on Sportsnet.
People are encouraged to participate starting on April 4, which has been declared jersey day. Everyone is invited to wear their sports jerseys and, with it being a PA Day for students, come to the arena between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for public skating and a voting party. On April 5, the arena will host a hockey tournament during the day before the announcement is made at 7 p.m. or shortly thereafter. Following the announcement, there will be an alumni game at 7:30 p.m. and then a dance.
“Getting kids to wear their jerseys is how we can get kids to participate in this, because you have to be 14 in order to be eligible to vote,” said McFarlane. “The whole reason we’re doing this is for kids, for future generations.”
She hopes to see youth from surrounding areas wearing their home team jerseys on the ice showing support for hockey and Honeywood.
Donations to the arena fundraiser will be accepted during the celebration.
To learn more about the fundraising campaign, go to www.myhoneywood.ca and My Honeywood on Facebook.
Contributed photo: Jeanette McFarlane’s dog Jenni dons the Honeywood Hurricanes jersey. April 4 has been declared jersey day, when everyone is encouraged to wear their favourite jersey in support of Honeywood’s Kraft Hockeyville bid.
