Feb. 12, 2015 – A new home at the Meridian Centre for the City’s sports hall of fame means thousands of visitors every week can marvel at some of the most outstanding achievements in St. Catharines sports history.
The City of St. Catharines proudly unveiled the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fallsview Casino Resort, at the hall’s new home, the concourse level at the Meridian Centre. Mayor Walter Sendzik said the Meridian Centre is a great location for the hall as residents and visitors will be able to view and appreciate some of the greatest accomplishments in St. Catharines’ rich sports history.
“It really speaks to our hometown identity that we’ve had so many hard working, committed teams and individuals build sports in our city,” said Mayor Sendzik. “These great athletes featured in our hall of fame were able to develop and hone their skills right here in St. Catharines.
“The Meridian Centre is the perfect place for the community to come and celebrate the legacies of our greatest athletes and supporters in our city.”
Established in 1990, the hall of fame recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of both women and men, athletes and builders whom have significantly contributed to the development of sport in St. Catharines and who have gone on to success at provincial, national and international levels of competition. The hall began as a small exhibit at the St. Catharines Museum and expanded to include a wall of fame at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Centre.
The sports hall of fame and wall of fame relocated to its new, permanent home when the Meridian Centre opened in October thanks in part to a $150,000 donation from Fallsview Casino Resort.
“We’re extremely proud to support a venue that shares the great achievements of our local athletes and supporters,” said Bruce Caughill, Vice President, Legal/Administration at Fallsview Casino Resort. “It’s important for us to help build a lasting legacy in the community for our homegrown heroes.”
The City also recognized the contributions of hall of fame committee past chair and long-time supporter David S. Howes and Lincoln Fabrics during the grand opening. To recognize Howes’ $75,000 gift, the hall’s wall of fame was named the David S. Howes Sports Wall of Fame. Howes passed away in January.
“David was an incredible person with a desire for contributing to the community, and especially to the sports community,” said Howes’ wife Susanne DiLalla. “He was passionate about ensuring the city’s greatest athletic achievements did not go unnoticed. He would find this new hall of fame a very fitting celebration for the city’s sports history.”
The community can visit the hall whenever the Meridian Centre is open to the public. The Sports Hall of Fame committee and inductees will also be recognized during the puck drop ceremony at the Feb. 12 Niagara IceDogs game.
“The Sports Hall of Fame Committee is excited to mark this milestone in the development of the St. Catharines Sport Hall of Fame,” said Peter Partridge, chair of the hall of fame committee. “Because of the generous donations from Fallsview Casino Resort and Dave Howes, the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame is now situated in the Meridian Centre for all the citizens of St. Catharines to enjoy. This would not be possible without their support.
“As it now exists, the Sports Hall of Fame will proudly display the achievements of our former athletes and builders of sport in our city and is yet one more way to recognize excellence in local sports.”
Visit www.scshof.com for more information about the St. Catharines Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fallsview Casino Resort.
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