CN Centre staff installing the new Prince George Cougars logo Wednesday afternoon – photo 250 News

Prince George, B.C. – Hockey season is one step closer to reality.

Proof of that was on display this afternoon at CN Centre as staff finished installing the ice and the Prince George Cougars new logo.

Cougars V-P Business, Andy Beesley, says the process was far less arduous than previous years.

“In the old days you would literally cut out a stencil, just like in elementary school, and you’d go down with your coloured paints and kneel down and spend the entire day ruining your knees and back and painting in the logos by hand.”

But not this year. “A more expensive, but far better product is to get them professionally made by an NHL level logo supplier and they’re actually made of fabric. They’re incredibly simple to install, are super bright and last several years.”

He adds another change this coming season will be a switch from halogen light bulbs to a new LED lightning system.

“In consultation with us, the City of Prince George is responsible for this. Halogen light bulbs took a tremendous amount of electricity and took a while to warm up,” says Beesley.

“These new LED lights are the latest and greatest and are the most modern money can buy. They’re incredibly bright and cut shadows on the ice to almost none and use probably 25 percent of the energy the old lights used.”

He also promises they will add to the fans viewing experience. “These LED lights gives us huge amounts of options in terms of fading lights and blinking the lights and using them as part of our show.”