Residents across the city have the opportunity to rally around three local arenas in an effort to secure significant upgrades.
Galt Arena Gardens, Hespeler Memorial Arena and Karl Homuth Arena have all been nominated for Kraft Hockeyville.
The national competition aims to find passionate hockey communities through an online nomination and judging process.
Through the nomination process, residents can share their memories and photos at each arena to accumulate points and explain why Cambridge should be the next Kraft Hockeyville. A panel of judges then review the arenas, calculate the points and select four finalists.
The top four selections go against each other in a round of voting to decide the winner. If selected, Cambridge would have the opportunity to host a National Hockey League exhibition game and receive $250,000 for arena renovations. The three runner ups will receive $25,000 towards upgrades.
All three local arenas have unique histories in the city.
Galt Arena Gardens celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022 with legendary players such as Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk and Bobby Hull having all hit the ice on Shade Street at one point. The arena is also home to the junior B Cambridge RedHawks, the U22 Women's Elite Cambridge Rivulettes and the Cambridge Ice Hounds, an adaptive hockey program for children and adults with disabilities.
"Nestled in the heart of Cambridge, the Galt Arena Gardens is more than just an ice rink—it’s a living piece of history," wrote one resident.
"Step inside, and you’re greeted by the unmistakable charm of an old barn with an incredible nostalgic feel, a place where the echoes of skates cutting through the ice seem to carry whispers of the past. A young Gordie Howe, 'Mr. Hockey' himself, laced up his skates and graced this very ice before becoming an NHL legend."
Hespeler Memorial Arena opened in 1990 and is home to the junior C Shamrocks, a team with roots that date back to 1960.
"Hockey has been a huge part of Hespeler since I can remember," a resident wrote advocating for its selection.
"As a teenager we would go watch our friends play at the rink often and enjoyed the rink fries and slushies that they still offer today. As a parent, watching my son play there felt full circle."
Karl Homuth Arena represents an interesting nomination. In June, the city decided to invest $95,000 to repair failing ice making equipment despite staff calling for the arena to be closed.
Back in 2019, the city had announced it would be decommissioned upon completion of the Preston Auditorium renovation and expansion project.
During the decision making process last summer, Ward 2 councillor Mike Devine was adamant the arena remain operational despite the cost.
"We need to recognize we're a growing city, growing more rapidly than we thought we were going to. We have to maintain what we have," he said at the time.
"Right now we have an area of about 30,000 people and they have nowhere to skate. I don't want to put an end date on this. I'm proposing it stay open and operational."
The nomination period for Kraft Hockeyville ends March 2, with judging running from March 3 to 15.
The winner will be announced April 5.