The preliminary voting stages end on February 9th, and the city of Moose Jaw needs your vote.

The Pla-Mor Palace, which houses the Wally Boschuk and Bert Hunt Arenas, was nominated for the annual Kraft Hockeyville competition by Chris Flanigan, hoping for the Bert Hunt to get some much-needed upgrades. The winner of the contest will receive $250,000, and the opportunity to host an NHL preseason game.

Flanigan nominated Moose Jaw last year but is working to get much more steam behind this year's effort.

"Last year we kind of went at it with a little bit smaller of an approach. We knew this year we wanted to go at it hard, and that we needed support. Mayor Fraser Tolmie reached out to me and said 'Let's join forces', so this year we decided to push the envelope a little bit. We saw last year what we could do with Mac the Moose and we're pushing hard this year. Its catching steam which is nice."

Shortly after Flanigan nominated Moose Jaw, the City released an official statement saying they support his nomination and will work to get as many votes as possible.

No Saskatchewan community has ever won Kraft Hockeyville

While the Pla-More Palace holds two rinks, Flanigan says the Bert Hunt is the one that is in need of upgrades.

"We want to focus on the Bert Hunt. The dressing rooms, the stands, there are some mechanical issues the city wants to take care of, the player benches, we have a growing Maverick's female program in Moose Jaw right now so it would be nice to get better upgrades in the female dressing rooms. The Bert Hunt is where we want this to happen, so we're pushing hard."

In the statement released by the city on January 15, they listed the following as potential upgrade ideas.

Accessibility enhancements to the ice surface, washrooms and parking lot (walkways and ramps).

  • Additional dressing room space to accommodate all users.
  • Referee room improvements.
  • Glass and board replacement.
  • Safety enhancements to players’ benches.
  • Improved spectator areas and heating.
  • Roofing, mechanical and flooring replacements.

"Obviously the goal right now for us is to get into the top 4," says Flanigan, "Some smaller cities and smaller towns in Saskatchewan have made it to the top 4, but nobody from Saskatchewan has ever won Kraft Hockeyville. We're hoping we can be the first community to win it in the province, but getting into the top 4 is my goal right now."

As of Friday morning, over 700 submissions have been posted on the Kraft Hockeyville website in support of the Pla-Mor Palace.

To vote, you can click here. Sign up, vote, and post a photo or testimony as to why you think the Pla-More should be crowned the winner.