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Splash pad memorial on to Aviva's semifinals

Proponents of a hockey-themed splash pad in memory of 18-year-old DJ Hancock are one step closer to achieving their dream.
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This is a graphic representation of what the splash pad commemorating DJ Hancock could look like. Supplied photo.
Proponents of a hockey-themed splash pad in memory of 18-year-old DJ Hancock are one step closer to achieving their dream.

The project recently got through the initial voting round of the Aviva Community Fund initiative, and is guaranteed a spot in the semifinals, along with 120 other projects.

If it survives the semifinal voting, which takes place Dec. 1-10, and the finals, which take place from Dec. 17-Jan. 26, the project could take home $100,000. The winners will be announced Jan. 27.

Hancock's sister, Jaymie Hancock, said it's exciting that the project has received so much community support.

“Everyone really comes together in times of need,” she said. “We were shocked at how many people were voting and sharing the post on Facebook. We couldn't be more thankful.”

Hancock, an 18-year-old player with the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves, was killed in an August car crash on Highway 17. He was due to start his first year of studies at the Northern Ontario School of Architecture in September.

The memorial splash pad project was undertaken by Melissa Sheridan, a friend of the Hancock family. It would cost about $200,000, and be located somewhere in the South End (the exact location has yet to be determined).

They hope to raise the other $100,000 through fundraising and personal and corporate donations.

As a talented hockey player who also enjoyed snowmobiling, sea-dooing and wakeboarding, the splash pad represents Hancock's interests.

“There is no better way to honour such a passionate and caring young man than to create a destination that incorporates the things he loved: hockey, spending time with family, laughing and loving life,” said a project description on the Aviva page.

To learn more about the project, visit www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf19607 or search for “Splash pad of Champions- In Memory of Dj Hancock” on Facebook.

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Heidi Ulrichsen

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