STEPHENVILLE -
While there was obvious disappointment in the voice of Coun. Darlene Oake Tuesday evening as word came that Stephenville didn't win the Kraft Celebration Tour 2010 faceoff, she accepted defeat gracefully.
"We gave it a try and tried our best, but ended up outvoted," she said shortly after the announcement was made on TSN that Bay Roberts - the town Stephenville went up against - was a winner in the first round of the contest.
Stephenville had been selected as one of 20 finalists for the tour, a national initiative launched by Kraft which will see TSN's flagship sports news program - Sportscentre - broadcast live from 10 lucky communities across the country during a period of 10 days this summer.
In addition to the broadcast, the winners receive $25,000 for improvements to a sports facility in their communities. The Stephenville Leisure and Recreation Council had hoped for the money to carry out improvements to the Regional Aquatic Centre in Stephenville.
Voting took place for a 24-hour period from noon Monday to noon Tuesday. TSN didn't give the vote count on their evening sportscast Tuesday.
"I guess the next time we'll just have to vote more. A lot of people helped and did a good job and there can only be one winner and this time it wasn't us," Oake, who led the charge for the contest, said.
She said the opportunity was there as a possibility and the Parks and Recreation Committee thought they'd take advantage to see if the town could win. She said Stephenville had some very dedicated voters in and outside the town.
Oake said Bay Roberts had some practice at this as they already participated in the Hockeyville challenge, which required voting.
"I certainly thank everyone who assisted and those who voted. The next time around maybe we will do better," she said.
