Sioux Lookout vying to become the next Kraft Hockeyville

Tim Brody - Editor

Sioux Lookout is in the running to become the next Kraft Hockeyville and the Sioux Lookout Minor Hockey Association (SLMHA) is leading the charge with support from the Municipality of Sioux Lookout and they are encouraging the community to back Sioux Lookout’s bid for the title.
The nomination and rally phase of the contest runs until Feb. 19. People must be 13 years or older and a Canadian citizen to participate. Photos and posts must be original.
SLMHA posted on their Facebook page that supporting the community’s Kraft Hockeyville bid is as easy as following these steps:
Step 1 – Visit Sioux Lookout’s Kraft Hockeyville Page (https://bit.ly/3wFNZpf)
Step 2 – Create an account.
Step 3 – Post your 5 best hockey photos.
Step 4 – Post a note that says why you believe our arena needs an upgrade and why our community deserves this opportunity.
Step 5 – Like 15 photos or notes posted by others.
Step 6 – Share Sioux Lookout’s Kraft Hockeyville Page on social media/email and encourage others to follow these steps.
Judging will take place between Feb. 20 and March 11 with the top four finalists being announced on March 11. 
Top prize in the contest is an opportunity to host an NHL game and $250,000 in arena upgrades.
SLMHA Communications Coordinator Mike Laverty kicked off Sioux Lookout’s bid by submitting a story and a few photos.
“Sioux Lookout is a small community with an undeniably huge passion for hockey—one that unites people from diverse backgrounds,” Laverty wrote in his submission. 
He went on to write, “Built in 1946, the longevity of the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena mirrors our community’s enduring passion for hockey. As the game of hockey evolved over the years, our arena changed to suit the needs of its users. However, the steel rafters that hold a space for our ice, much like the thrill of chasing a puck down the ice or stopping a breakaway, remain unchanged. Every day of the week, the arena proves to be one of the busiest places in town; this unique and irreplaceable source for entertainment and recreation supports skaters of all ages and abilities. Sioux North High School fields a boys and girls hockey team that practice and play in the arena. In addition to youth hockey, the men’s and women’s adult hockey leagues—along with a men’s recreational league—also play on this ice. The boards proudly feature local hockey hero, Ryan Parent, an NHL player and two-time gold medal winner at the World Juniors. Whether we dream of the NHL or scoring the next goal, this arena is our home.”
Laverty wrote of how the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena would benefit from $250,000 in arena upgrades, “The Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena is quickly approaching its 80th year of service. While this cherished building creates countless memories every year by hosting clinics, games, practices, and tournaments, it is time for renewal and the next chapter of hockey in Sioux Lookout. We believe that upgrades to the following building features are required to achieve our goal: accessibility, dressing rooms, heating, safety netting, and seating areas. These changes would provide both fans and players with the safest and most rewarding experience possible as they enter the building. Hockey is a team sport. As the players collaborate to make plays, they are supported by a network of people (staff and volunteers) who help operate the arena. We welcome the opportunity to continue pulling together as a team in an enhanced space. These upgrades will guarantee the future of hockey in Sioux Lookout by supporting our existing hockey community and inspiring the next generation to play the game we all love.”
“We’re hoping that the nomination story does its work, kind of gets us in the running along with the rallying from the community,” Laverty shared.
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout shared, “The Municipality was excited to learn that the Sioux Lookout Minor Hockey Association submitted a nomination to Kraft Hockeyville for the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena. We are looking forward to supporting this nomination, and working with all the user-groups to garner additional “nomination stories” to further engage the community and help our chances of winning! It takes an entire community to win a contest of this nature, so, let’s go Sioux Lookout – we’ve got this!”