Ontario Hockey League (OHL) fans in Watford are in for a treat this weekend, as the town hosts a preseason matchup between the London Knights and Erie Otters.
It's taking place on Saturday at 4 p.m., at the East Lambton Community Complex and is a fundraiser for upgrades to the Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre.
Work at Alvinston's rink, which kicked off in April, will include a new floor, dehumidifier, and compressor which is expected to cost around $2 million.
It's a cost-share grant, meaning the municipality gets up to $1 million from the province and it contributes an equal amount.
Fundraising and Marketing Assistant for Brooke-Alvinston Jill Joris said tickets to the game sold out quickly.
"We are currently sitting at about $450,000 of our $1 million goal," said Joris. "We're hoping to be reopened by October 1. Everything is running on schedule, so hopefully for the start of the new hockey season, we will be good to go."
Joris said residents can still come out and enjoy family-friendly activities going on behind the Watford facility from noon until 3 p.m.
"We also have a watch party. Doors open at 2 p.m. It's $10 admission, and it's in the Lambton Mutual Gymnasium at the East Lambton Complex," she said. "We have a silent auction, a raffle, 50-50. It's going to be a fun day. It starts at noon, and it goes until whenever the game ends. There is a meet-and-greet with the London Knights that's free for all, as well as a family-free skate after the game."
The Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood Community Centre Complex is well-used, with over 20,000 annual visits.
