Thousands of Airdrie hockey fans, and non-fans alike turned out to Genesis Place over the weekend for the spectacle of Hometown Hockey in our community.

The city's biggest booster, Mayor Peter Brown said the weekend was a success and gave Airdrie national exposure that you could not buy.  Brown said he talked about it with the co-host of Hometown Hockey Tara Slone.

"I said to Tara yesterday, you guys showcase hockey sort of as the foundation but the core and essence of your program is about community and I can't think of a better one to put out to the rest of the country as Airdrie, Alberta."

Brown said the opportunity to host Hometown Hockey came in early summer when he received a call from one of the producers of the show. They then sat down with city staff and Airdrie Minor Hockey to discuss the logistics. Then, two committees were formed, one through Minor Hockey and one through the City of Airdrie. 

Brown said that the cost to the community was nothing compared to the exposure received.

"Very few resources were required from the city, maybe a little extra policing and we've foregone some of our building inspection permits for tents and such but I think the cost to the community is about 12,000 bucks or less and the result is we get national coverage. For three hours they were talking about Airdrie, so it's pretty awesome." 

The other thing showcased was Airdrie's strong hockey history said Brown. Recently, the Gold Ice Surface at the Ron Ebbesen Arena was renamed the Murray Buchanan Ice, putting the names of two Airdrie hockey fathers into one arena.

"Murray used to say, and Ron as well, 99.95 percent of kids aren't going to play in the NHL. Hockey's about everybody, whether you're a real skilled player or somebody just starting out. Ron and Murray, and I could name 50 other people who were instrumental in building the hockey community."

And, Brown said the community was showcased during Hometown Hockey and by many other events that happen in Airdrie.

"Having Hometown Hockey here just before Christmas celebrating with the Festival of Lights, the Santa Claus Parade.  It just really brings our community together so it's great to see."

 

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