The Barrie Sports Hall of Fame Society’s objective “To honour and perpetuate the names of those whose athletic prowess brought fame to themselves and their community” is fulfilled by the Society’s involvement in community projects.
The Red Storey Field
In early 1996 the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame Society initiated the naming of the playing field adjacent to Central Collegiate “ The Red Storey Field.”
Permission was given from the City of Barrie, the Simcoe County Board of Education, and Central District Collegiate Institute to have this happen. It became apparent that the condition of the field and it’s surroundings were not in line with the image one would expect for a person of Red Storey’s stature.
Therefore a field restoration committee was formed to coordinate the efforts to bring the conditions to a level that would be acceptable to a dedication of this significance. An action plan to address the improvements
required, brought The City, The Board, Service Clubs, Private Business and Individuals to the financial assistance of the project.
In order for this project to be successful, it was important that the foregoing groups see and feel that the students of Central were contributing to the restoration of the field and the surroundings, A list of tasks for the students to carry out was compiled. The overall project, included seeding, signage, an irrigation system and the general appearance of the grounds.
Central students were to take part in the dedication ceremony. The Central Band was to participate in the opening exercises and the Central Football Team was to take part in a featured football game.
The Dedication Ceremony of October 02,1996 was a huge success, many thanks were expressed from the community but none more than from an ecstatic Red Storey.
The 1998 Winter Olympians
On March 9,1998, the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame Society and the City of Barrie honoured the athletes, coaches, and officials from the Barrie area who participated in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. The statues, designed by M.C. Laser Werks of Barrie, consisted of the five Olympic rings, elements of a Japanese lantern, the Olympic flame, and the podium of Champions.
A statue was presented to each participant: Dan Marouelli, Laurie Taylor-Bolton, Jack Sasseville, Robert Tebby, Jeff Langdon, Michelle Leigh, Doug Leigh, Stephen Cousins, Elvis Stojko, and Shayne Corson. A statue was also donated to the Barrie Sport’s Hall of Fame Society and is on display in a trophy case at the Allandale Recreation Centre.
The Dr. Harold Smith Project
The Dr. Harold Smith Project is a book covering sports in Barrie from 1880-1959. This book was compiled by Mrs. Jean McCann and donated to the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame in memory of Dr. Harold Smith. This project is displayed in an enclosed glass case, mounted on a wooden pedestal at the Allandale Recreation Centre.
Recognition of Past Chairpersons
The Barrie Sports Hall of Fame recognized their past chairpersons at their Induction Ceremony held on October 5, 2010. A perpetual plaque recognizing Archie Marshall, Sam Cancilla, Jean McCann, Terry Paddison, Chuck Lowe, Jim Barber, Bob Palmer, Tim Sample, Dan Forgrave, Mac MacDonald and Don Roulston was unveiled. This plaque will recognize all future chairpersons.
Friends of Base Borden
As an initiative to support our friends at Base Borden and to recognize the Canadian Forces’ commitments in Afghanistan, the Barrie Sports Hall of Fame, in co-operation with the Barrie Colts OHL Junior Hockey Club annually hosts troops at a Colt hockey game.
