Shawn Shishido, a City of Enderby councillor, and Kaylee Wells, Enderby's recreation administrator, asking for support in its Hockeyville bid (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Voting on March 29, 30

Vernon endorses Enderby’s Hockeyville bid

Mar 26, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Vernon city council has thrown its support behind the City of Enderby’s bid for the Kraft Hockeyville 2024 title.

At the regular meeting Monday, March 25, Enderby city councillor, Shawn Shishido, and Enderby’s recreation administrator, Kaylee Wells, asked for Vernon to back their bid.

Shishido told Vernon council the arena in Enderby had been closed since January due to corrosion in the refrigeration system that puts critical components at risk of permanent damage.

Winning the Hockeyville title comes with the ability to host an NHL game and a cash prize of $250,000, and Shishido said that money could go to repairing the facility.

“Hockey in our community is huge, as it is all across Canada, but in particular in our community with limited types of amenities, as soon as one of our amenities is shut down, the impact is huge,” Shishido explained, adding people of all ages are tied to that rink, whether they are currently playing hockey or played when they were younger and are back there watching or coaching their kids or grandkids.

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It’s not just Enderby residents who benefit from the rink, but people from Splatsin First Nation, Grindrod, Mara, Kingfisher and Ashton Creek also utilize the facility. The closure also affected North Okanagan Minor Hockey’s ability to play in Enderby this winter.

Wells stated past Hockeyville winners and runners-up throughout B.C. have thrown their support behind Enderby’s bid, as asked Vernon council to do the same.

“We need that support of people going out to vote, sharing within your networks, and getting it out to everyone you know. Challenging other businesses, other communities,” Wells said.

After hearing the presentation, Vernon council expressed their support, with Mayor Victor Cumming stating details on how to vote, including links to the Hockeyville site, would be shared through the city’s communications department.

Councillor Kari Gares said she is a “huge supporter of recreation” and that the Enderby rink is used not just by residents there, but by people from the surrounding area, including Vernon, and encouraged Vernon and area residents vote for Enderby.

Councillor Akbal Mund acknowledged the rink is not just a sheet of ice, but an important facility for hosting events, and also encouraged people set aside some time and vote for Enderby over the weekend.

The North Okanagan community is in the final four in the running for the Hockeyville title along with Cochrane, AB, Wolseley, SK, and Elliot Lake, ON.

Voting for the 2024 Kraft Hockeyville will be open on the weekend.

“I recommend everybody on the 29th of March and on the 30th go on the Hockeyville site and vote, and you can vote many many times, so go down and vote for Enderby,” Cumming told Vernon Matters after the meeting.

by Liam Verster

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