The wall where photos and jerseys currently hang could be future site of Wall of Fame in the Battleford Arena.(Submitted Photo/Town of Battleford)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame thing of the future for Battleford Arena

Apr 9, 2024 | 4:00 PM

Figure skaters and hockey players of the Battlefords may eventually have a wall of their own at the Battleford Arena celebrating their accomplishments.

Over the years, the Town of Battlefords’ Parks and Recreation have held discussions about how to best honour local athletic heroes who have reached the pinnacle in their respective sports. Last fall when former Boston Bruin and North Battleford’s own Gregg Sheppard was named among the 100 most legendary players in hockey history, the discussions ramped up again.

“Not many people get that prestigious award and Parks and Rec department’s expressing a desire to do more in our local hockey arena,” said Councillor Shelley Boutin-Gervais, who serves on the board.

An idea was brought forward to create a Battleford Arena Wall of Fame. According to the report, the categories for eligibility would focus on individual athletes, teams and builders of sport – such as officials, coaches and volunteers.

“A wall of fame would be established in the lobby at the Battleford Arena, nominees would be required to have significant connection to the Battlefords community, with roots in the Battlefords and have participated in hockey or figure skating,” she said.

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Due to the lack of wall space in the lobby, the department is currently pitching the idea of having Colby Cave and Wade Belak’ jerseys along with other items hanging on the wall near the washrooms moved elsewhere and placing the plaques with accompanying photos in that spot.

“A sub-committee of the Battleford Recreation Committee would be formed to evaluate nominations and select individuals and teams for recognition,” said Boutin-Gervais.

“A maximum of four nominations would be selected for recognition in any given year.”

The report also details how the nomination process would work. Anyone may nominate an athlete or sport-adjacent participant and the deadline would be set for June. 1.

The council supported the idea and Councillor Kevin Russell said that other communities all had their own versions.

“We have some team pictures around the arena, which is cool and some jerseys,” he said noting that having a process for commemoration would be beneficial.

“We’ve got a little history here, let’s publicize it.”

Councillor Alexis Christensen also supported the idea.

“Speaking of good enough, that was the only thing I was going to say and I’m sure you guys…I know you mentioned it but I like having a really well-defined sort of policy around it,” she said, in response to an earlier statement about what constitutes excellence.

“What does it mean right? Did he live here two years, or she was here seven years or what’s the criteria, I think.”

Others inquired after the space needed and how long plaques would stay up and ultimately, they were in favour of it moving ahead.

“It should’ve been done years ago,” said Councillor David George.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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