The spirit of hockey is alive and well in La Broquerie, and even the community’s landmark got dressed up for the game.
The community of La Broquerie was abuzz throughout January as it competed in a national contest that would name them as this year’s Kraft Hockeyville 2009.
On January 14, La Broquerie was recognized as one of the top ten communities across Canada who competed for the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2009. The competition will search for hockey communities that are passionate about the game and the finalist is named Kraft Hockeyville 2009.
This year’s entry was coordinated to coincide with the Village’s celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the local hockey club, otherwise known as the La Broquerie Habs.
The community of La Broquerie prepared for the event, and participation from both the public and private sectors has already shown positive economic and social benefits.
“La Broquerie is the epitome of Canadian hockey,” stated RM of La Broquerie Reeve Marielle Wiebe who is also a hockey mom.
“My son has played for ten years and it has had such a positive experience for him and my family,” she explained. “Children from all over the municipality come to play for the La Broquerie Habs because the program is designed for the children.”
La Broquerie received national exposure when the community’s spirit and love for the game was featured along with other contestants in a televised broadcast which promoted the community across Canada.
The first voting period to reduce the Top 10 communities down to the top 5 communities closed the last weekend of January. In the final tally, La Broquerie received 330,000 votes; however, it was not enough to beat out Terrace, BC which received 380,000.
If the community of La Broquerie had won the competition they would have received $100,000 towards upgrades to the community arena, and an opportunity to host an NHL exhibition game in the fall.
