Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins rallied support for Sylvan Lake’s Kraft Hockeyville campaign in the House of Commons Tuesday afternoon.
He used poetry to get his point across to Members of Parliament during their session and was greeted with cheers and applause at the end of his recitation.
Here’s what he had to say:
“I rise again in this house to again talk about hockey
in a community that lies between Red Deer and Rocky
Sylvan Lake’s plight is my subject of call
Their arena collapsed under record snow fall
The old barn came down without much warning
A very close call at one in the morning
Many young children with no place to skate
No stands to cheer from, so proud and so great
A rink that is known for its great hockey camp
Producing great players, some Stanley Cup champs
Sutters and Morris to name a few,
Ranford and Iginla have skated there too
And now comes the task, not incredibly small
How to rebuild, the cost will be tall
Sylvan Lake’s spirit will not be defeated
Fundraising has started, the job can be completed
Mr. Speaker before my poem’s complete
I do need to note that with no small feat
Other towns and cities have provided support
Working together to help Sylvan Lake sport
Thanks to Eckville, Clive, Blackfalds, Leduc,
Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, and Caroline too,
Maskwacis, Bashaw, Spruce View and Innisfail,
and Rimbey a friend just down the trail,
But today I stand in support of this town
For I played too in that building fell down
What I ask for today is support from the Hill
Vote for Sylvan Lake for Kraft Hockeyville.”
To watch his performance check his YouTube video.
The riding which Calkins represents encompasses the north end of Sylvan Lake at present, but with redistribution next year, he plans to run in Red Deer-Wolf Creek which will include the Town of Sylvan Lake.