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18 / MARCH.APRIL.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM Originally a strictly Canadian enterprise, Kraft Hockeyville started choosing an American champion this past year, when Johnstown, Pennsylvania — and the fic- tional Charlestown Chiefs' home in Slap Shot—won the title. Winning Kraft Hockeyville USA would bring with it $150,000 in arena improve- ments, as well as the opportunity to host an NHL preseason game this coming September. Both Tate and Hudson believe each of these "prizes" could be just what's needed to jumpstart the popularity of hockey in the area. "Applying for Kraft Hockeyville was a no-brainer for us," Hudson said. "People in The South take their sports very seriously. We might not be the biggest hockey com- munity in the world — not even close. However, the people we do have in our programs are the most passionate people about the sport that I have ever seen. I've played in Canada and profession- ally, and I've never seen people take hockey quite as seriously as they do in our community. "But we still are a small community. The bid for Kraft Hockeyville is an effort for us to not only grow the game of hockey in the South, but it's also to expose the people in our community to what the game's really all about with an NHL game." "There's so many things that I'd love to see improved if we won," Tate added. "I know that being in the South, humidity is always an issue. We are going to be putting in a new dehumidification system in the main arena—it would be nice to be able to 1997 YEAR OPENED RINK BREAKDOWN ICE RESURFACER: TWO ELECTRIC , Continued from page 17 50,000 SQUARE FEET 2 200' x 85' NHL-SIZE RINKS ( M A I N R I N K ) 7 5 0 : P R AC T I C E A R E N A FUN FACT: Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena has been nominated for Kraft Hockeyville. PHOTOS: PELHAM CIVIC COMPLEX LIGHTING IN ARENA 3,500 SEATING CAPACITY Featured Rink Pelham Civic Complex | | Pelham, Ala. TENANTS: City of Pelham Hockey, University of Alabama Club Hockey. 1,000 watt MH SKATING PROGRAMS: ACHA Division I College Hockey, Pelham Youth Hockey League, Southern Youth Travel Hockey, The Birmingham Figure Skating Club, 300+ Student Learn- to-Play/Skate Program. REFRIGERATION SYSTEM: R22/Glycol SPECIAL FEATURES: • Pelham is able to operate and sustain two sheets of ice year-round, with fully functioning summer skating and hockey programs—even with the humidity and heat in the south. • 7,000 square feet of banquet and conference space is also available. LOCKER ROOMS Locker rooms CONCRETE SAND 1 1 TYPES OF RINK FLOOR