Mackenzie Did Not Lose

By 250 News

Mackenzie, B.C. - A LOT of passion went into Mackenzie's bid for the title of Kraft Hockeyville 2011...

Residents packed into the community's curling rink this evening to await the final announcement, with chants and cheering reaching epic proportions by the time the first period of the Vancouver-Edmonton game drew to a close.

The excitement grew as Wolfe Island, Bentley, and Saint Raymond fell by the wayside and it was down to two: Mackenzie and Conception Bay South.  When NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman announced the winner was Conception Bay, there was a brief silence, then the cheering slowly grew again in Mackenzie...this time they cheered for themselves and the effort everyone had put into this bid.

For its efforts, Mackenzie garnered 652,442 votes in the last round of balloting, to Conception Bay South's 995,442.

One of the local bid organizers, Steve Rooke, took to the mic shortly after the announcement to tell the crowd, "Mackenzie, we did not lose."

"We are the best place on earth.  We showed Canada what small towns are all about and we rocked," said Rooke.  "So let's take this accomplishment and move forward."

For resident, Linda Page, the entire week leading up to today's events has been emotional.  Page says she's shed many tears as a result of the 'spirit' shown by the entire community.  She says the whole experience has been wonderful for making new friends and re-connecting with old ones.  Her daughter, Shawna Oliver, and two children, Rylee and Ben, drove to Mackenzie from Charlie Lake yesterday to be part of today's festivities.

Linda and her husband, Derrick, received the top prize in a competition to support the bid for the 'best decorated home', while Canada Post took first place in the business category.

Mackenzie's Alan Sheppard Arena will receive $25-thousand dollars in upgrades for making it to the top five.  The grand prize was $100-thousand dollars in renovations.

Photo below shows residents lingering in front of the Spirit Square outside of the arena and curling rink after this evening's announcement.

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