The first meeting for Okotoks Hockeyville committee was meeting full of ideas and inspiration on Thursday night.

Plenty of motivated citizens put up their hand to help with the efforts of bringing an NHL exhibition game to Pason Centennial Arena, $100,000 and more importantly bringing the community closer to together,

Hockeyville Organizer Connie Drake says their bid needs plenty of volunteers to help make Okotoks a finalist for the contest.

"We are looking for people who can just help recruit even more volunteers, we're looking for kids who want to man booths at the Oilers and Bisons games or at any Town event," she says.

Drake says so far the suggestions to make Okotoks stick out from the hundreds of communities nominated for Kraft Hockeyville have been incredible.

"People from the Okotoks Minor Hockey Association, people who are coaches and people involved in that organization, we also had a lot of hockey moms there, we had a lot of people who are excited and really willing to dig their heels in and get some elbow grease going and make this happen for Okotoks, which is fantastic because its all about the community."

Drake says the committee has till the beginning of March to show off different hockey or community spirit events or photo opportunities to help make their bid shine and hopes the Family Day long weekend can really put them over the top.

"Family Day is just going to be a huge win-win that we can piggy back off of the Town's activities and they're going to promote Hockeyville in their communications, so if we're from the Rec Centre from 10-4 then to Pason Centennial Arena for the Oilers Family Day game that's just going to be a great day."

Plans tabled for the Hockeyville Committee include a potential community road hockey challenge, as well as their ongoing Hockeyville song contest and social media initiative.

The Committee is also looking for sponsorships and will visiting local businesses for support to help spread the word of their project.

To help volunteer or suggest an idea visit the Hockeyville Facebook Page.

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