In addition creating to lifelong memories for all involved and a few enjoyable days of sharing some of Owen Sound’s greatest hockey stories, Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada also delivered financially.
The co-chairs of the local organizing committee Jim McManaman, Denise Reid and Fred Wallace attended city council’s meeting on Monday to present a wrap-up of the Jan. 18-21 event that showcased Owen Sound on national television.
School visits, hockey clinics, a celebrity and alumni game and an outdoor festival at Harrison Park were just a few of the many activities planned during Hockey Day festivities. The actual Hockey Day broadcast featured Ron MacLean and others live from Owen Sound and aired on Sportsnet on Saturday, Jan. 21.
“We had about 5,000 people visiting Harrison Park … and there was about 8-million viewers that day seeing live from Owen Sound, live from Harrison Park,” McManaman says.
Councillors were told Monday the event also ended with a financial surplus of just over $46,000. The local organizing committee recommended the funds be invested with the Community Foundation Grey Bruce under the Owen Sound Fund, in a separate Owen Sound Hockey Day Fund to support projects and programs by local hockey groups that give children access to hockey.
City council ended up passing a motion introduced by Coun. Travis Dodd to send the proposal back to committee for further refinement.
“When we talk about, how do you create a legacy and a long-lasting impact, doing something with the Owen Sound Fund is a great solution,” Dodd says. “Because it’s a solution that’s going to allow generations, forever, of youth that are trying to get into sport, or can’t afford sport, to have the availability to be able to participate. And I think that has more long-lasting effect than anything.”
