The Chatham Memorial Arena will not host an NHL preseason game after being outvoted in the Kraft Hockeyville Contest.
During Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday, Panorama Recreation Centre Arena in North Saanich, British Columbia was selected over the arena in Chatham, garnering 62% of the votes.
Both communities will receive $100,000 for arena upgrades after being announced as the two finalists, however only one could win the opportunity to host the preseason game.
Super fan and local organizer Chad Peterson says despite losing out on the grand prize, it was still exciting to rally everyone in the community.
"I don't care if we get the trophy. We got the money," he says. "And I got everybody to come together for Chatham-Kent."
The contest gave both communities the chance to vote online over the past five days to decide the winner.
Local residents attend the Bash at the Barn event at Chatham Memorial Area prior to the Kraft Hockeyville announcement, April 4, 2015. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls speaks to the crowd at Chatham Memorial Arena (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Local residents attend the Bash at the Barn event at Chatham Memorial Area prior to the Kraft Hockeyville announcement, April 4, 2015. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Local residents attend the Bash at the Barn event at Chatham Memorial Area prior to the Kraft Hockeyville announcement, April 4, 2015. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Local residents attend the Bash at the Barn event at Chatham Memorial Area prior to the Kraft Hockeyville announcement, April 4, 2015. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Mayor Randy Hope speaks to the crowd during Bash At The Barn (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Local residents attend the Bash at the Barn event at Chatham Memorial Area prior to the Kraft Hockeyville announcement, April 4, 2015. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Mayor Randy Hope congratulates Superfan Chad Peterson at the CK Hockeyville results announcement (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Mayor Randy Hope waits to appear live on Sportsnet during Bash At The Barn (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Town Crier George Sims live on Sportsnet during Bash At The Barn (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Local residents attend the Bash at the Barn event at Chatham Memorial Area prior to the Kraft Hockeyville announcement, April 4, 2015. (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
Superfan Chad Peterson in the crowd at Bash At The Barn (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announces the winner of Kraft Hockeyville 2015 (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
CK hockey fans wait to see the result of Kraft Hockeyville 2015 (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
