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16 -- PORT PERRY STAR --- Wednesday, July 3, 1980 Port Perry Arena gone, but. by Danny Millar "An impressive ceremony vy iB a, marked the official opening i / AY A Ribas. SRY 4 St of the Port Perry Commun- eX N= Soke VE Sik & ui ity Memorial Recreation A pi REE: al Centre on Friday evening of last week." That was the opening para- graph in a story written for the Port Perry Star Jan. 18, 1951, over 29 years ago. That was a festive night with sporting and political lumin- aries in attendance to watch the first hockey game at the Arena on Water Street in front of a jam-packed crowd. Ted (Teeder) Kennedy, who was captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs in their glory years of the early 1950's, was there along with teammate Sid Smith. Ont- ario Premier Les Frost was there to hand over a cheque for $1,000, finalizing a gov- ernment grant of $5,000. Mayor Mike Starr of Oshawa was on hand that night and so was John Ross Roach, a former NHL goal keeper who hailed from Port Perry. A THRILLER Roy H. Cornish was also there and almost 30 years later he was able to recall that night. He beamed with C3 i pride in remembering the events. 'And of course opening night was a thriller for everybody" he said. Mr. Cornish served on the old arena's building commit- ym r ; tee as Secretary. Ken Jack- . . i I mr -------- | ? 2 ¢ son was the president of that The interior of the new Port Perry Community Memorial cheque to Mr. Ted Jackson, president of the committee an e 3 board which included A.J. Recreation Centre was filled to capacity on Friday, January 12, crowd let out a great roar of applause. The above photo sh a a Carnegie, Dr. Roy Irwin, Dr. 1951 when hundreds of area residents and a number of visiting view from the east end of the arena during the opening 2 D.C. MacMaster, A.W. dignitaries witnessed the opening ceremonies of the new ceremonies. 4 Lawrence, Harry PeeliSam complex. Premier Leslie Frost handed over the final $7,000.00 F Griffen, Jim Crane, Manse ~ i & Gerrow, Arthur Brunton, / . Ss Jack Helm, Harold Archer. Cornish takes pride in. Cam raised by house to house / ® de RB. Smallman. Ernie pacMaster told how the canvassing. A ATO & Bottrell. and Ronald Peel. different organizations in "It was a community = ~ | According to Mr. Cornish. town held euchre parties, affair." stated Dr. Mac. i s 3 these men worked a "maxi- and bingo nights at the High Master. "Port Perry, Reach Z 1 4 mum of two years." to gel School. He remembers and Scugog all got involved = $20. Living Rooms = = the arena built. They went people in Port Perry. which in one' way or another." B $25. Recreation Rooms E a into the project with the he estimates was half the Dr. MacMaster told of the Z $15. Dining Rooms i : hi : 3 I : ; . . = : 2) 5 ambition to build the rink size itis now, donating prizes opening night pre-ceremony = $10. Kitch i A and then hand it over to the for these games. '"Every- dinner that the Committee - prenens = 3 town. "There was an awful body was behind it when the held with the visiting digni- £ $16. Bedrooms £ 3 lot of free labour went into arena was built. That's for taries. That banquet was = $10. Halls & Baths = 4 the rink," noted Mr. Cornish. sure", Mr. MacMaster held at the Delicateria Rest. = $ 1.Step £ | The arena was built at a claimed. aurant, where Emiel's Place E £ 3 ig oF p0:000, with 2 but There were at least three 1S currently situated. } s EXTRA SCOTCH GUARDING & DEODORIZING 2 } 3 e $5,000 p al grant draws for automobiles at the Artificial ice was put into E We reserve the right to limit size * Shag 20% More * Minimum Charge $35 = s being raised by local resi- time the arena was being the rink for the first time two = 8 8 IMU Charge 335. £ A dents, a fact that Mr. built. Alot of the money was years after it opened and the = £ a cost was $12,000. The decis- £ PLEASE CALL £ pi ion to put inthe ice was made - S.gron = E at an emergency general 2 - 'ER 38 meeting of the public. EH : io] The arena plan was = g pr devised after ea of EZ JIM BROWN, BOX 1211, UXBRIDGE, ONTARIO. LOC 1KO. E . a ¢ the board made a study of 12 E 3 other arenas and Mr. 2 852-7322 i br Cornish claims that they 2 s i came up with a "modern 2 EB & rink'. It was considered up 2 E 3 (Turn to page 17) Ee CC CC s : ® $8 Manchester ¢ 0 Trailer Sales FY ® -- ------ ET NIA En (416) 985-7771 Rentals - Parts - Service - Used Trailers - Interior Showroom * GLENDETTE * SHAMROCK * UNIK * TRAVELUX * . This photo was reproduced from the January 18, 1951 Port Perry Star, and shows Premier Leslie M. Frost cutting the ribbon for the cpening of the Port Perry Community Arena. With Mr. Frost are [left] Jean Williams, and Mayrenne James. :