Wilkie cheers, despite Kraft Hockeyville loss

For the third year in a row, a Saskatchewan community has fallen short of winning the Kraft Hockeyville contest.

Renous, N.B. claimed the title Saturday night, winning $250,000 towards arena upgrades and the honour of hosting an NHL preseason game.

Despite losing the grand prize, Helen Urlacher, Wilkie’s campaign organizer, said the northwestern Saskatchewan community still cheered on their competitor.

“There was a lot of ‘Oh, we didn’t win?’ Then after the initial finding out we didn’t win, we applauded (Renous) because they really needed it,” she explained.

For making the top four, Wilkie — along with Rich Valley, Alta. and Saint-Polycarp, Que.– still receives $25,000 for rink repairs and another $10,000 towards minor hockey in the  community.

The ⁦@hockeyville⁩ finalists. All worthy & deserving.

Since #Wilkie didn’t win – & it’s VERY close to my hometown of #NorthBattlefordSK – I will add $25k to the kitty for #WilkieArenaUpgrades

Encourage others to share!

Hey ⁦@TaraSlone⁩ – where does the Cheque go? pic.twitter.com/rwgztIx7BY

— * W. Brett Wilson * (@WBrettWilson) March 31, 2019

Following the results Saturday night, entrepreneur and North Battleford native Brett Wilson tweeted out saying he’ll personally donate an additional $25,000 towards Wilkie’s arena upgrades.

“It’s truly amazing. We’re all very humbled that he would do a gesture like that,” Urlacher said.

With the fresh funds, she said the town plans to upgrade the rink’s washrooms. If they have any money left after that, Urlacher said they’ll possibly look at improving its bleachers and dressing rooms.