Avonlea is Riderville. Or at least, that's what the online voting determined.
The small town, located just 45 minutes outside of Regina, earned the distinction of "Riderville" --- as was announced at Sunday's Labour Day Classic between the Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Riders President Jim Hopson was very happy with how the contest turned out, as he indicated on a statement released through the Roughriders official website.
"This contest and the community spirit we witnessed exceeded our expectations," the statement reads, "A huge congratulations goes out to the people of Avonlea and the other finalists for embracing this initiative and making it their own. This contest embodies the passion that the entire province has for their communities and for the Roughriders."
Predictably, the announcement was met with disappointment for the legions of volunteers and organizers of the Yorkton is Riderville campaign.
Committee member Barry Sharpe was gracious in defeat.
"We would sure liked to have won but I guess it's not to be. We'll just have to continue doing what we're doing and we know we're winners, so we'll just have to go from there," he concludes.
With nothing in Avonlea even approaching the efforts of the Yorkton is Riderville campaign, Sharpe points out that the sympathy vote may have won people over.
"I think it was that David and Goliath thing. Poor little small town, Avonlea, against big Yorkton. I'm sure they got a lot of the sympathy vote," he says.
The constantly changing parameters and rules for the contest were certainly discouraging for those involved - especially considering the majority of Yorkton's Riderville efforts (Football Night in Saskatchewan, the Pa-ride, various BBQ's) were concentrated much earlier in the year.
"It was a little frustrating. I think it went on too long, was one of the problems. I think everybody got kind of worn out by the time it all was over," Sharpe reflects.
That said, the experience was still a positive one for the majority.
The way that Yorkton came together for this initiative was particularly memorable, Sharpe adds.
"It was still a good experience, it was a great thing for Yorkton. We have to thank everybody for what they've done. It was unbelievable how everybody just came out and really got into it," he says, "We're winners, no doubt about it."
As winners of the Riderville distinction, the self-proclaimed "Saskatchewan's best secret" will receive a highway sign noting their accomplishment, along with the $25,000 that the town hopes will provide the foundation for a football program.
As the Roughriders website details, the recipients also will host a one-day football camp attended by Rider players, coaches and alumni.
