An Alberta town reeling from the loss of its rinks has advanced to the final stage of a national competition, with $250,000 on the line.

Taber, east of Lethbridge, is one of two finalists in the Kraft Hockeyville 2026 competition, alongside Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

The Taber Community Centre was rendered unusable after an explosion last December. The blast was caused by a Zamboni ice resurfacer, according to a third-party investigation.

The winner of the Hockeyville competition will receive $250,000 for rink upgrades, along with the chance to host an NHL pre-season game. The runner-up gets $100,000.

“It’s almost overwhelming, really, but it’s gonna be amazing,” said Taylor Gouw, president of the Taber Titans Charity and vice-president of the Taber Minor Hockey Association.

Taber was declared a provincial winner of the contest last weekend, securing $50,000 for arena repairs.

“There are no words to adequately describe what it means to be a top two community in Canada,” said Meghan Brennan, the Town of Taber’s communications manager. “I mean, our fellow nominees were super, super worthy, and to be chosen as one of the top two is a feeling that we’ll never be able to replicate.”

Since the explosion last year, about 250 young hockey players on teams like the under-nine Taber Oil Kings have been forced to travel to play and practice.

“It really kind of did cut off the heartbeat of Taber,” said Brennan. “It’s the place where our kids grow up. They learn to play hockey, other winter sports. … When it happened, it was deeply shocking to the community and it was hard on the families.”

Canadians can vote for the contest’s winner on the Kraft Hockeyville website from April 3 to 4. The winner will be announced live on Hockey Night in Canada the day voting closes.

Ahead of the vote, Taber will host a special fundraiser tournament March 27 to 28.