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Lively celebrates hometown girl Meagan Duhamel

T.M. Davies Community Arena is Meagan's House

Lively's Meagan Duhamel had already cemented herself as one of Greater Sudbury's most well-known figures well before a celebration in her honour on June 8.

The 32-year-old Olympic champion is one of the city's most decorated athletes of all time, and during a celebration at Lively District Secondary School on Friday, it was ensured that her name will be synonymous with the community she grew up in for decades to come.

Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini partnered with Meagan's aunt and president of the Walden Skating Club, Rochelle Duhamel to throw a special ceremony is Meagan's honour, to pay homage to her achievements and what she has meant to the residents of Walden, Lively, and Greater Sudbury as a whole.

A packed gymnasium of Lively District Secondary School students heard from Meagan's aunt, along with her former kindergarten teacher, along with Vagnini and mayor Brian Bigger.

The former two shares stories of Meagan's childhood, with her teacher Mrs. McDonald recalling that she knew even from a young age that Meagan was destined to do big things.

Sharing a story about a day in class when Meagan forgot to bring anything for show-and-tell, and instead shared her gymnastic ability, while showing no regard for space limitations afforded by a classroom.

"She told me she could do a cartwheel so I told her she could share that with the class," said McDonald.

"Apparently in her eyes she saw the classroom as being 5,000 sq. ft and proceeded to become a whirlwind of arms and legs flying around the classroom. Maybe a somersault would've been a better idea, but as you all know she loves to be flying through the air."

The Duhamel family has been involved with the Walden Skating Club for decades, an organization that has existed since 1974, with Meagan cutting her teeth (or ice) with the club.

"This is such an exciting time for our community and for our club," said Meagan's aunt, Rochelle. "The club has been a part of this community since its inception and we've had so many people come through our club that have gone on to do great things. Hockey players, collegiate athletes, and Olympians like Meagan."

The T.M. Davies Community Arena may get a new moniker in the years to come, as Vagnini unveiled a giant banner that will now hang in the building where Meagan honed her skills at an early age.

Adorned with a photo of Meagan and her skating partner, Eric Radford, the banner simply reads, "Welcome to Meagan's House". 

On the subject of houses, Meagan says she may find herself in a weird spot when sending mail to her parents, after Vagnini announced that as early as June 29, the street that she grew up on will be renamed Meagan Duhamel Drive.

"It's going to be a bit awkward sending mail now," said Duhamel with a laugh. "Writing from Meagan Duhamel and sending it to Meagan Duhamel Drive."

The celebration was closed out with a special surprise, as it was revealed that while Meagan completed grade 12 at Lively District High School, she never actually attended her graduation ceremony.

A mortarboard (graduation cap) was presented to Meagan, along with a Lively Hawks sweater. 

"This is so funny because I was at St. Benedict's School earlier and they gave me a sweater as well, but when I told them I went to Lively they actually booed me!" said Duhamel. "I'm proud to be from Lively, and I guess I just won't wear the sweaters at the same time!"


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