The turnout and response to the official opening of the new Capreol arena was called just fantastic by one of the local Lions who helped organize the day-long event.
Benny Benedetti, chairman of the Hockeyrama Day, said everything went perfect Saturday from the early afternoon parade which kicked off the day's events, to the dinner banquet in the evening.
About 400 people attended the $5-a plate dinner held in the Capreol arena, he said. These and other funds raised will go towards the payment for plexiglass around the ice surface.
About 15 cars, carrying Capreol natives who have played in the National Hockey League, and the Copper Cliff Highlanders marching band wound their way around the town before returning
to the arena for the official ribbon-cutting.
This duty was shared by the town's current mayor, Frank Mazzuca, and his
predecessor Harold Prescott, under whose administration the project began.
An open house in the arena rounded out the afternoon entertainment as the kids chased their heroes for
autographs and others played games of chance or paused for some refreshments.
Capreol native, Jim Farelli, former coach of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, was master of ceremonies at the banquet.
