World U17 Challenge Legacy Funds Recipients. Thunder in the Valley A BLAST!

I said it when the legacy fund was announced, and I'll say it again now - this is why Port Alberni deserves to host more events of this calibre. Quite simply, they are a huge success. The U17 Challenge was over long ago, but the legacy will be left behind in the Valley and on the Island for years to come.

2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge announces Legacy Fund recipients

The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Legacy will soon be in the hands of organizations across the central island. Organizers recently completed the evaluation process and will be allocating funds to over 20 regional initiatives ranging from facility improvements to development programs, equipment upgrades, coaching Initiatives, and KidSport contributions. A detailed list is attached.

The Legacy Fund Committee congratulates the successful applicants. “The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge created many lasting legacies and the committee is excited to support a wide range of projects across the partner communities” said Committee Chair Ron Paulson.

Funds were allocated to the Alberni Valley and the five partner venues – Campbell River, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and Oceanside. The remaining 30% ($75,000) of the total Legacy available will be distributed through BC Hockey membership programming.

Alberni Valley 35% ($87,500)

Nanaimo 8.75% ($21,880)

Campbell River 6.56% ($16,400)

Comox Valley 6.56% ($16,400)

Oceanside 6.56% ($16,400)

Cowichan Valley 6.56% ($16,400)

The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge was held December 28, 2008 to January 4, 2009 at the Alberni Valley Multiplex and partner venues across Vancouver Island.

For More Information contact your local Legacy Fund Committee member or:

Stefanie Weber

Media Director

2009 World U17 Hockey Challenge

250-735-0766

s-weber@shaw.ca

Ryan Robins

Hockey Canada

Manager, Marketing Services/Events

403-777-4591

rrobins@hockeycanada.ca

2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Legacy Fund Recipients

Alberni Valley Minor Hockey/Hockey Canada Skills Academy $42,500

Equipment for off ice training and rink dividers

Coaching resource center

Goalie equipment

Renovated storage facilities

Scholarship/Bursary Program

Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture/Nanaimo Minor Hockey $21,900

Arena upgrades including new board glass, rink divider boards and nets.

Cliff McNabb Arena Score Board and digital clocks

Port Alberni Parks & Recreation $21,500

Facilities improvements for the Alberni Valley Multiplex including automatic door openers, a floor cleaning machine, Penalty box doors, Automatic External Defibrillator, Cordless microphone unit and Skate training aides

Campbell River Minor Hockey Association $16,400

Strathcona Place score clock and lighting upgrade

Cowichan Valley Organizing Committee $16,400

Renovations to the Cowichan Arena, which will include a four-sided score clock and upgrade to the lighting system

Regional District of Nanaimo – Oceanside Parks & Recreation Department $13,250

Oceanside Place Scoreclock replacement

Comox Valley Regional District $11,900

Renovate arena seating area

Alberni Valley Minor Hockey/Female Program $8,000

Equipment lending and Offiiciating Development program

Alberni Valley/Oceanside Minor Hockey Associations $6,000

Joint Female Development Program that focuses on fun, skill development and team building

Port Alberni Kid Sport $5,000

Funding for sport registration fees for under-priviledged youth

Alberni Valley Minor Lacrosse $4,800

Funding for new shot clocks and goalie gear

Comox Valley Regional District $2,500

Automatic External Defibrillator for the Comox Valley Sports Centre

Comox Valley Kid Sport $2,000

Funding for sport registration fees for under-priviledged youth

Oceanside Generals Jr. Hockey Club Parksville $1,000

Trophies and awards for the 2010 Cyclone Taylor Cup Provincial Jr. B Hockey Championship

For Immediate Release …… Alberni Wrestling Thanks Drags and Announces 50/50 Winners

The Alberni Valley Wrestling Club would like to thank the Alberni Valley Drag Race Association for the opportunity to once again contribute to the Thunder in the Valley Drag Races and to raise much needed funds at the event through our very popular 50/50 sales.

Alberni Wrestling have been involved as volunteers in the Thunder in the Valley event for all 9 years of its existence. Over the years Alberni Wrestling has provided help in many areas at the races as we do for many other community events. Currently we provide the labour force for both the set up and takedown of the event as well as the security personel. In return for this significant contribution to the Thunder event the Drag Race Association does not pay Alberni Wrestling but they give us the right to run the 50/50 draws. The proceeds from these 50/50 draws at Thunder in the Valley have become an important part of our yearly fundraising efforts. Clearly this is a win/win scenario for both the Drag Race Association and Alberni Wrestling.

This agreement is also a big winner with the Drag race participants and fans since the Thunder in the Valley 50/50 has become a very popular part of the event. 50/50 sales are always brisk at the drags and the result is large pots being won by extremely happy participants. Where the winners are coming from also shows the popularity of the Thunder in the Valley with visitors from all over BC. This year’s winners were …..

· Saturday 12 pm Draw – Ted Gilbert of Port Alberni

· Saturday 4 pm Draw - Dave Beal of Duncan

· Sunday 12 pm Draw - Kevin Erickson of Duncan

· Sunday 4 pm Draw - Brenda Bentien of Kelowna

All draw prizes were claimed and all proceeds accounted for once again this year.

Alberni Wrestling would like to thank everyone who supported their 50/50 sales again this year. Thank you to all of our fantastic wrestling volunteers and to the Alberni Valley Rescue Squad who provided several volunteers to assist us this year in exchange for part of the proceeds. All other funds go back into programs that support our wrestlers all season long such as equipment, uniforms, entry fees, transportation and other operating expenses. Again a big thank you to Bill Surry and the Drag Race Association for once again trusting that Alberni Wrestling would do a good job for them and giving us this opportunity. Congratulations on another successful event. We look forward to being involved in next year’s 10^th anniversary event.

Tom McEvay

Alberni Wrestling

Office: 250-723-3744

Now those are some happy people!


Thanks for reading!


Hammer


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Canucks visit Hawks tonight, Balsillie bids for 'Yotes, RBC tix and attendance, 2009 World U17 Challenge Information Session Friday,

Catch the Canucks visiting the Hawks tonight on 93.3 The Peak FM with the pregame show kicking off at 4:30 and the puck dropping shortly after 5pm.

The Canucks are looking to take a 3-1 series lead. From the Canucks website - click the links to read the GAME NOTES and GAME PREVIEW




You have no doubt heard that Jim Balsillie wants to buy the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to Southern Ontario. I say LET HIM buy the Coyotes. And put them BACK IN WINNIPEG.

After all, Gary Bettman's response to this issue was "The NHL doesn't give up on cities, yaddah yaddah" Well you gave up on Winnipeg. Winnipeg has fixed it's problems, the NHL has fixed some of it's problems, BRING BACK THE JETS!

That is all.




Here's an interesting story from the Nanaimo Daily News by Michael Rhode, regarding ticket prices and attendance numbers at the RBC in Victoria. Click THIS LINK to read it.

My 2cents on the subject...I knew the RBC wouldn't be a hit unless several things came into place. Those factors being - the Grizzlies winning their way there and not backdooring, the 'Nucks being out of the playoffs, and the Salmon Kings not making the playoffs or getting knocked out EARLY.

I don't pretend to know Victoria and what goes on there, I just know what I have seen over my 6 years in the league and being to games down there.

It is absolutely BEYOND ME how in a market the size of Victoria, NO ONE can get their games broadcasted on one of the local radio stations. The Salmon Kings of the ECHL, the Grizzlies of the BCHL (even with the RBC Cup) can't get it done. I almost want to kick down an office door of some radio and team executives and get it done.....I don't know who's to blame so I won't be faulting anyone. But I bet it's both sides, and I bet it's GREED.

Maybe it's the community. Maybe they just don't care. I don't buy that though. I have seen games in the Bear Mountain in the SECOND ROUND of the playoffs where the barn was packed to the rafters. Now in the RBC they can't get 2000 people? Hmmm.

Anyway. Smaller cities = success, when it comes to the RBC. Port Alberni anyone?

Speaking of a SMALLER city (Port Alberni) - and an INTERNATIONAL EVENT ( the 2009 World U17 Challenge) please read more below. When events go well - this is the spin off. I shouldn't give Port Alberni all the credit, the partner communities were there every step of the way too.

May 6 2009 Port Alberni BC

For Immediate Release

The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge host committee, BC Hockey and Hockey Canada invite you to attend an information session to provide full details on allocation and distribution of the $250,000 Legacy Fund.

Special recognition presentations will also be made to the funding partners and sponsors whose support helped realize this substantial Legacy Fund.

Date: Friday May 8, 2009

Time: 10 a.m. PT

Location: Alberni Valley Multiplex

3737 Roger Street

Port Alberni, BC

In attendance:

Ron Paulson/Tom McEvay/Russell Dyson/Colleen Sawyer

2009 U17 Host Committee

• Legacy Fund Allocation for Port Alberni and partner communities
• Application Process
• Legacy Fund Committee

David McCormick

• Banner presentations to funding partners and sponsors