An Alberta town has been voted the winner of a national competition, securing $250,000 for arena repairs.

Taber, east of Lethbridge, was announced as the winner of the Kraft Hockeyville 2026 competition Saturday, beating fellow finalist Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

As the winner of the 20th-anniversary Hockeyville competition, Taber will receive $250,000 for rink upgrades, along with the chance to host an NHL pre-season game. As the runner-up, Tumbler Ridge gets $100,000.

The 11 provincial and territorial finalists each get $10,000 in brand-new hockey equipment for kids.

Taylor Gouw, president of the Taber Titans Charity and vice-president of the Taber Minor Hockey Association, told CBC News he and fellow community members “were just absolutely ecstatic” about the announcement.

“It was almost like winning the Stanley Cup,” said Gouw.

Simon Laroche, president of Kraft Heinz Canada, said in a news release after the announcement that “we’ve seen just how deeply local rinks matter — not only as places to play, but as the heart of communities.”

“From stories of resilience to moments of connection, this year’s communities reminded us that hockey is about far more than the game — it’s about showing up for one another.”

$250K going to arena repairs

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.

In a news release Saturday, the Town of Taber expressed gratitude to those across Canada who voted for the town to win the national contest, as well as local residents impacted by the loss of the town’s two rinks.

“There are moments that define a community. This is ours,” the town said.

“To our community, you gave everything. You showed up in ways that were impossible to ignore. You rallied, you shared, you lifted each other, and you reminded all of us what it means to belong a place like this.”

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.

“This was never just about hockey,” the town said.

“This was about home. It was about early mornings at the rink and cold air in your lungs. It was about parents in the stands, kids on the ice, and generations who grew up within those walls. It was about a place that held our memories, our milestones, and pieces of who we are.

“And when we lost it in the December explosion, we didn’t lose our community spirit.

“That’s what people saw. That’s what people believed in. That’s what people voted for.”

Gouw is eager to see the renovated Taber Community Centre host an NHL pre-season game.

“To host an NHL game is going to be so insane,” Gouw said. “Everybody’s going to want to be there. The kids are going to see their stars that they’ve always wanted to see.”

“It doesn’t matter what game it is, it’s going to be awesome, but I could only imagine if it was Calgary and Edmonton in Taber, how insane that game and everything would be. It would just be incredible,” he said.

Taber tips hat to Tumbler Ridge

Taber expressed support for runner-up Tumbler Ridge — a town still recovering from a shooting that left eight people dead in February — in its statement.

“To the community of Tumbler Ridge, your story moved this country. Your strength and your love for your community are undeniable,” the town said.

“Congratulations on an incredible second place finish.”