PEI

O'Leary getting face-lift for face-off on Hockeyville

People in O'Leary are still waiting to find out if they get to host the Hockeyville pre-season game, or whether it will go to Summerside, but they're getting everything ready anyway.

Town might not get to host pre-season game, but doing clean-up in case they do

O'Leary is hoping this arena is suitable for the Hockeyville pre-season game in September. (Nicole Williams/CBC)

The town of O'Leary is getting ready for Hockeyville, even if it isn't sure it will be hosting an NHL game.

The pre-season match will happen on September 25 between the Ottawa Senators and the New Jersey Devils.

A decision about whether the game will be played at the Community Sports Centre in the town, or the Eastlink Arena in Summerside isn't expected until June or July.

The NHL and other partners involved in the promotion have to decide if the rink is suitable to host the event. If not, it will move to Summerside.

One of the members of the O'Leary Hockeyville committee, Della Sweet, says they're going on the presumption that it will be in O'Leary, and that means some cleaning up.

"You know, just making the town a little more presentable, and I think there's some talk of some paving, on Main Street too," she said. "I think it was in the works anyway but they may rush it up a little bit to get done before the game. You know, just to spruce up the community and maybe get residents and businesses to get a little more into it and a little more prettied up for, we'll kinda be, all eyes will be on us for a short period of time."

Della Sweet, seen here celebrating the announcement that the town had won the Hockeyville contest, says they are sprucing up the community, because all eyes will be on them in September. (Nicole Williams/CBC)
The decision on how tickets will be distributed will be made once they know how many are available, Sweet said.

Even if the game isn't in O'Leary, people will still get to see the players in some way, possibly at practices or other events, she said.

From the Island Morning interview