A lucky loonie was planted at centre ice at the Archie Browning Sports Centre on February 11 in support of Canadian athletes. The loonie was planted by Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins before a Victoria Cougars home game against the Saanich Braves.
“We want to show our support for our Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes by participating in the lucky loonie challenge,” said Mayor Desjardins. “We hope it brings good luck to our athletes as they go for gold.”
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts and Councillor Linda Hepner earlier issued a challenge to all B.C. municipalities to plant loonies in their arenas in support of Canadian athletes at the 2010 Winter Games.
The symbolic gesture follows the tradition that began in 2002 when Canadian ice-maker Trent Evans tucked the loonie into the ice at the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. Team Canada went on to win gold medals in both the men’s and women’s hockey events. The original coin from Salt Lake City is now on display at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
[News item updated February 17.]
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