Dear Editor:
My wife and I attended the latest Jr. B lacrosse game (Elora Hawks versus Orangeville Northmen). It’s the playoffs, and now Elora is up two games to one.
The arena was “packed.” Standing room only. While the game was exciting and the crowd totally involved, we were dumbfounded to discover that there is a total lack of “history” in the arena!
Not a hockey or lacrosse banner, no trophy cases, medals, ribbons, no framed sweaters. We had three boys who were very involved in both sports and have been to hundreds of arenas, or barns, as they are affectionately called, and without exception, all pay homage to their past.
Lacrosse has been played in Elora since the mid 19th century. The Hawks (once the Mohawks) have played since 1967. Elora had teams participating in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) from the 1920s to the 1940s. The Elora Rocks currently play in the OEHL.
With all this rich history, there must be mementos that were saved. Where are they? Why are they not on display? The arena looks sterile.
As if the sports teams were just created this year. In all fairness there was a TV screen with pictures of past teams cycling through past years, but no one paid attention. There can be no replacement for trophy cases with memorabilia.
Something needs to be done to rectify this atrocity and truly recognize past players, coaches, managers and all who give their time, and in the case of the players, their sweat to these wonderful games
Paul Gooch,
Elora