Three local athletes will be inducted into the new Centre Wellington Hall of Fame on June 20 during Doors Open Fergus and Elora.
Patrick Anderson, Jane Kirby and Jamie McGinn are the first inductees to the revitalized Hall of Fame, located in the Centre Wellington Sportsplex.
Elizabeth Bender, cultural coordinator for Centre Wellington, explained the theme this year for Doors Open was Sports, which gave the perfect opportunity to start this project.
“What a perfect year to re-open it, give it a bit of a facelift, and really start something,” said Bender.
“When we started looking at athletes in our community there are just so many that have gone on to do really awesome things.”
The Hall of Fame has already been established as an unofficial showcase for local athletes, but now with the addition of these three athletes, Bender said there will be signage to officially dedicate the area.
“I think it is great for our community to acknowledge our great athletes…it’s a chance for everyone to celebrate,” said Bender.
Anderson, who grew up in Fergus, was widely recognized as one of the best wheelchair basketball players in the world. He won a gold medal as part of Team Canada at the London, Athens and Sydney Paralympics and won silver at the Beijing Paralympics.
McGinn grew up in Fergus and went on to play in the OHL, AHL and NHL. He currently plays left wing for the Colorado Avalanche.
Kirby, who moved to Guelph when she attended the University of Guelph, placed second with the Canada’s National Senior Women’s rugby team in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2014.
“It was the greatest thing I’ve ever done,” said Kirby.
“It was kind of surreal to be 25 and check something that grand off your bucket list. The final goal was to make it to the national team”
Kirby explained the 2014 Women’s Rugby Cup was the first time in Canadian rugby history that a Canadian team has made it to the finals. The Canadian team lost in the final game against England.
“Silver is hard. You make it into the finals, which is the goal, but you finish your incredible tournament on a losing streak,” she said.
She was excited when she heard she would be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It really brings you into the community… it solidifies your ties with the community,” said Kirby. “It was kind of humbling.”
All three athletes are providing a signed photograph to be included in the Hall of Fame. Bender is hoping this will continue in the coming years.
“Hopefully [we] start a trend and that every year we might be able to keep adding some people to that hall of fame,” she said.
The ceremony for the reopening of the hall of fame will be at 10:30 on June 20 in the Sportsplex. McGinn will be presenting a jersey and will be there until noon to sign autographs.
(McGinn and Anderson were not available for comment by press time).
