Built in 1962, the Ituna Arena is long in need of a new home and residents of the community are hoping that a nationwide contest can assist them.

The Town of Ituna is one of ten communities to be named a finalist for Kraft Hockeyville 2017.

"The town is through the roof with excitement. We're going crazy with all the emotions here and we are getting support from all over Canada," says Mayor Doug Scully. "It's amazing to see."

A town of 701 people, according to the latest Census statistics, the rink in Ituna is one of the last of its kind in the province, and they are currently working towards a new complex, says Scully.

"We're looking at a brand new structure here in Ituna. We've been fundraising for the last couple years and if we are fortunate enough to get the big prize, we can probably start building in the next year or two."

According to the nomination that is posted on the Hockeyville website, many residents in the community are concerned that they will have to travel elsewhere to play hockey if they aren't able to secure enough funds to build a new rink.

Part of the fundraising efforts are thanks to a group of volunteers who donate and farm a quarter of land to keep the rink active throughout the winter.

Scully noted that popularity in the game is rising in the town.

"It's a huge part of our community that has a resurgence in the last few years. The teams are all getting bigger and a lot from the female part of it too, so it is great to see."

The two communities who receive the most votes in the initial voting period will go head-to-head in one final vote to determine who is Hockeyville.

Voting begins Sunday at 7:00am and will conclude Monday night at 10:00 on the Hockeyville website.

You can also find more details on Ituna and the rink through their website.