What a rare treat it was to be part of the
Sudburians are Good Sports event, which took place recently in
Copper Cliff. Everywhere one went in the community, sports was
the main conversation.
Many people were talking about Sudbury not
having a true sports hall of fame facility to honour our long
tradition of outstanding athletes and their contributions
around the world.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Dave Courtemanche
expressed his opinion about the need for a permanent facility
that would celebrate our rich and glorified sports heritage,
and the fact he would support its creation.
"I think there's potential in trying to
establish a permanent location in our community where we can
showcase the memorabilia and trophies associated with many of
our sporting heroes," said Courtemanche.
The mayor wasn't the only one expressing
concern over a lack of a proper building to honour our athletic
greats.
"When are we going to get a sports hall of
fame," questioned former NHL referee Dave Newell. "I support
it. Look at what they are doing in Kirkland Lake with Hockey
Heritage North. They have a facility in Parry Sound for Bobby
Orr.
"It makes me sick we have nothing for our
athletes. The community needs it and it would be good for
us."
Sudbury needs a permanent Sports Hall of Fame
facility to celebrate our vast sporting history.
How can a town, with a proud tradition like
ours, not have a true sports hall of fame?
It's ridiculous.
I don't have to think very hard to come up
with a few potential special sections for different sports that
have helped put Sudbury on the map.
First, and the most obvious, is our hockey
history. This town has forged a ton of proven professional
hockey stars including Todd Bertuzzi, Dave Taylor and Mike
Foligno, while helping launch many careers (from the Sudbury
Wolves) including Glen Murray, Dale Hunter and Pat
Verbeek.
A Sudbury hall wouldn't be complete without a
section for our gifted Olympic and Special Olympics
athletes.
From gold medal-winning Olympians such as
Alex Baumann and Robert Esmie, and Special Olympians like
Tami-Lyn Deveau, this town has produced its fair share of
successful elite international athletes.
It would also be great to walk through a
section just for our wonderful high school athletes, and their
long list of marvelous accomplishments.
There could even be sections for coaches,
volunteers, sponsors and other supporters.
Having a hall could create another annual
event for the city, were members are inducted or new exhibits
are opened.
Who knows, maybe it will make our athletes
try even harder at their respective sports, knowing ahead of
time, that a magical performance or an outstanding career could
get them forever immortalized.
Our athletes are world class, and deserve a
year-round shrine.
It's time.
