Sask. town wins $25,000 for hockey arena in Kraft Hockeyville contest

A Saskatchewan town won $25,000 dollars to repair their hockey arena after finishing as a finalistin the 2018 Kraft Hockeyville contest.

NHLcommissioner GaryBettman announcedSaturday night that Lucan, Ont. won the contest, but Lafleche, Sask.was named one of three runner-ups.

• Small Saskatchewan town makes Kraft Hockeyville top 4

"Getting into the final four was really exciting. We were so impressed with our community and how everyone backed us," said Gillian de Grauuw, wholives inLaflecheand organized the town's bid forthecontest.

The townis about 150 kilometres southeastof Swift Current.

"We remembered what we can do and how important each other is and we had a lot of fun," deGrauuwsaid. "We put all our differences aside and we worked like one big unit and it was amazing to see."

Despite not winning first place, deGrauuwsaidshe's proud of how much work the town put into the campaign, which included organizing an announcement party at the local hockey arena.

"When we heard the news, obviously we were disappointed,"she said. "We really wanted to bring it home, but at the end of the day it was still an incredible experience."

Nearly 700 people showed up for the party in atown with about 400 residents, deGrauuw said.

"It's something we will never forget," she said. "It just doesn't get more passionate than what we had last night."

The other runner-ups were High River, Alta. and Huntingdon, Que.

The winner of the contest receives $250,000 and a chance to host an NHL preseason game.