My open letter to Kraft Canada- re: Kraft "Savour Summer" competition

As I sit and write this, I am inspired. I am inspired because I am 100% certain that this defines Port Alberni's name to a T.

Please read below, an email I received yesterday regarding this contest-

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Kraft Canada offers BC residents the chance to win up to $125,000 towards

community center, park and sports field upgrades

Kraft Savour Summer competition promotes activity and play as healthy lifestyle choices

May 21, 2008 – Toronto, ON – Kraft Canada asks British Columbia residents to nominate their local community centres, parks and sports fields in an effort to win up to $125,000 in upgrade money during a summer competition called Kraft Savour Summer. As of May 12, BC residents can compete against all other provinces for one $50,000 Community Centre Revitalization grant, one of three $25,000 Park Refresh grants and two of three $25,000 Sports Field Makeover grants. The Kraft Savour Summer grants will rejuvenate and improve communal areas that bring together children, families and friends and promote physical activity and play.

Entrants are required to submit an application, an essay of 500 words or less and three photos to www.savoursummer.ca or by mail (mailing details available at www.savoursummer.ca). Entries will be judged on three criteria: community spirit, overall need and originality. The winner of each grant will be announced on August 15, 2008 at www.savoursummer.ca.

“The long winter has come to an end and Kraft Canada wants to help Canadians become more active by improving the public spaces where they play, exercise and have fun,” said Dino Bianco, President, Kraft Canada. “This is an opportunity to improve your local community centre, park and sports field so that your family and friends can enjoy them for years to come.”

Participants can enter more than once and nominate different public spaces with each additional submission. Submission deadlines for the three grants available in British Columbia are as follows:

· June 30, 2008 - $25,000 Park Refresh grant

· July 31, 2008 - $50,000 Community Centre Revitalization grant

· July 31, 2008 - $25,000 Sports Field Makeover grants

For more information about Kraft Savour Summer please visit www.savoursummer.ca.

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FIRST criteria: community spirit

Writing this submission from my laptop in my living room, the widows are open and the sun is shining. It seems that every two to three minutes, I hear gunfire. No, it's not gang warfare. It's Track and Field, coming from Bob Dailey Stadium. Usually a couple of minutes after the gunfire, I hear the public address announcer giving the results of the races. It isn't just TRACK and Bob Dailey. There is a large group of people of all ages from the population that walk/run/jog the track. Football and soccer, maybe even Rugby are all played at Bob Dailey.

This is just one of the reasons Port Alberni fits the description of this contest, it is a great facility that could always use an upgrade or improvement. Bob Dailey Stadium is just down the street from me.

The next facility would be next door - the Alberni Valley Multiplex, home of the British Columbia Hockey Leagues Bulldogs. I have never heard the sound of Bulldogs hockey from my home, like I hear the Track and Field. I know it is a loud sound with a big crowd and a big horn making noise to be heard from blocks around. I hear the hockey much differently, because I am in the "kennel" in the DOG POUND. "kennel" being an affectionate name I have heard used for the broadcast booth. I have the great fortune of being in the rink calling the play-by-play where usually 10% of the cities population packs the stands. And usually blow the roof off the place.

The Folks at Kraft should of course know about the Mulitplex and what it does for this community. It was the heart of the Port Alberni Hockeyville bid that ended up in the TOP 10!

photo: Nichelle Portrait Studio

It isn't just Bulldogs at the rink- it's every kind of hockey you can think of. Young kids, boys and girls. Old kids, boys and girls. Experienced "sea dog" vets, toughly competitive NCHL hockey, rep team action, along with outright adult rookie leagues, noobies to stick skates and sometimes puck getting out and getting involved and having fun.

It isn't just hockey at the rink- the BC Provincal Wrestling Championships have been held there, the Fall Fair and Home Show events go in it, around it, and behind it.

Travis Cross returned to the Multiplex Upper Lounge to what seemed like 200 people, piped in after going to Canada's Wrestling Nationals where he won and booked his tickets to the 2008 OLYMPICS.



In front of the rink (just behind the statue of " Bernie the Bulldog" the Bulldogs team bus returned to a big crowd of their fans to thank them for their never say die efforts all season.




Last but not least- It won't be just LOCAL people using this great facility, but the WORLD will make a visit with the 2009 World U17 Hockey Challenge this coming December and January.

Enough of the rink. The final reason Port Alberni should win this great contest is across from the rink, where the "Echo" area starts. Ball diamond after ball diamond after soccer pitch and soccer pitch, the lawn bowling facilities and lastly the ECHO CENTRE- the library, museum, pool, seniors centre, and community use rooms. Also in the area- a skate park.

If all of this isn't COMMUNITY SPIRIT, then what is?

SECOND criteria: overall need

I sit here and rattle off all of the great facilities Port Alberni has. What do we NEED? We need what the contest says- to IMPROVE our fields and parks and community centres. I know the issue came up about need with the Hockeyville bid with some people. I say that Port Alberni NEEDS every improvement it can get. The reason is simple. A huge per capita of the population uses all of the above. It is how the population comes together. When it does the community spirit comes out. Every community NEEDS that.

If one certain facility NEEDS money, it may be the Alberni Athletic Hall. It is not in my neighborhood, but is another sport facility with a history of bringing the city together. Home of the 1955 Men's Senior National Basketball Champions too, the Alberni Athletics.

THIRD criteria: originality

I said off the top that Port Alberni fits this all to a T. Anyone who lives here, anyone who visits our facilities here and experiences what Port is about knows it is as original as it GETS!

It is called S'PORT ALBERNI for a reason, afterall.

Anyone have photo submissions for me?


Ok, now how many words was that? OVER 700! Doh. What to cut?

What do you think of my idea to submit this? Feedback/Support would be appreciated!