Okotoks will be busy hosting hockey tournaments this spring.

The Okotoks Oilers U15 Tier 1 team has been selected by Hockey Alberta to host the 2024 U15 Tier 1 Alberta provincial tournament.

According to U15 Tier 1 Alberta Provincial Committee member Jennifer Zaffino, the selection process to become the host town was a tad tedious.

"There's an in-depth bidding process that happens through Hockey Alberta," explains Zaffino. "We had to get confirmation even from our mayor and town. We had to get support from some of the businesses in town to say that they would support such a venue."

They also needed to find a hotel that could accommodate the athletes arriving for the tournament.

It took them a few weeks to put together the 20-page bid, but the work paid off.

With eight teams coming to Okotoks, there will be roughly 160 athletes competing in the tournament, and the Okotoks Oilers are on the hook for the cost of the tournament.

The U15 Tier 1 Provincial Tournament will be in Okotoks this March (logo via Facebook)The U15 Tier 1 Provincial Tournament will be in Okotoks this March (logo via Facebook)

Because of that, the Okotoks Oilers are seeking sponsors.

"We put together a proposal for companies, where they can select different tiers," explains committee member Tammy Olsen. "The tiers give you more or less advertising throughout now and until the end of the games on the 24th. And there's different monetary values of each level. We also take donations."

There are four sponsorship tiers, and each one provides a different level of recognition.

They range from the basic Bronze tier, which costs $250, to the Platinum tier, which costs a minimum of $2000.

So far, they have nine sponsors, but are looking for more.

In total, they are hoping to raise between $30,000 and $40,000.

That includes the swag for every player and coach, as well as hotels and food for players, coaches, Hockey Canada officials, and refs.

They are also raffling off four lower bowl VIP tickets to a Las Vegas Knights hockey game, plus airfare.

So far, they have brought in about $15,000.

There will also be an online auction in February, where they will be auctioning off donations that they have received.

Keep an eye on the Okotoks Oilers social pages to see when the auction will happen.

For more information on how to become a sponsor, reach out to Tammy Olsen at okotoksu15tier1provincials@gmail.com