Next spring will see a big hockey event coming to Peace River with the 2024 Alberta Junior B Provincials.
Joe Fawcett is the chair of the host committee, he says right now they’re in the preliminary stages of the preparations.
“A couple of weeks ago we went down to Okotoks and watched a little bit of this year’s provincials just to get a feel for how they were carried out and the things they did to make it a good weekend. We picked up some pointers there, seeing a few things we liked and a few things we’d like to improve on.”
Fawcett says they’re hoping for some strong corporate support from the community to help with the costs of putting on the event.
“Everything from the media side of it, broadcasts of all the games and interviews, to things like supporting referees and the game officials and things like that that will come and oversee the tournament as it progresses. Ice rentals and a lot of things like that. It’s conducted over five days the tournament so you really have to secure the arena for that whole time.”
Also needed for the event will be a lot of volunteers.
“You need your penalty box workers, your clock workers, security is a really big aspect, you’re looking at three or four games a day for four or five days. Then you got your ticket booth, merchandise table, 50/50’s and things like that. It’s really similar to any other event, it’s just the number of days is all.”
Overall, Fawcett says this event will bring a substantial boost to the region.
“You’re looking at six teams of 20-22 players, plus coaching staffs and then all of the parents and family and friends that would come with those teams to watch. Obviously the hotels are going to see a lot of business that week. Restaurants in the area would see a big jump in the business as well. I think it’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the town.”
Peace River previously hosted the Junior B Provincials in 2010.
The full interview we did with Fawcett can be found below.
– Kyle Moore, Trending 55 Newsroom
