Local Lauds Lacrosse!
Wiikwemkoong’s Marcia Bomberry–Trudeau has had many successes over the years. She played varsity Lacrosse for Brock University, she was awarded the 2017 Brock Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate in the Faculty of Social Sciences and she received her MBA soon after.
Her focus now is a parallel program of the Anishinabe Baagaadowewin. This group is pushing to revitalize lacrosse in First Nations. But sports programming can sometimes neglect women and girls. That’s a problem Trudeau-Bomberry is working to disrupt.
“We’re trying to ensure that our approach to sport development is balanced,” she said.
To that end, Anishinabe Baagaadowewin has launched a survey to connect with people who may be able to volunteer in supporting the program, whether they’re players, coaches or general program developers. Google the group to help if you can.
Central group asks for support
Adam Smith is the chairperson for the “Central Manitoulin Recreation Infrastructure Committee (RIC), which is a group of six members charged by council to assist with solving the current problem the municipality has with its aging recreation infrastructure. Its mandate is to provide options for the repair, renovation or replacement of the Mindemoya Arena, which includes creating a plan for the municipality’s two 75-year-old arenas and multiple underutilized halls.”
The above quoted paragraph was taken from a letter circulating around the township and now, likely everywhere, due to the internet. He writes that the letter is from his position of a taxpayer and not from his position on the RIC. It brings up the long-standing argument involving the township’s buildings, recreation and taxes to name a few. It is so long-standing that my Dad says it was the same debate some 45 years ago, when grants were available for recreational infrastructure projects. It was about the time that Wiikwemkoong, M’Chigeeng and then Little Current built their facilities. The majority of residents were not willing to subsidize the minority of people who would use a new arena and the idea was scuttled.
In 2023 the demographics are likely even more skewed with a reported average age of the Central Manitoulin population now at 48. Speaking as someone well over that mean and with no children using these resources, I still look to the future for those that will be using them! I can see the need for our youngsters and even our old-sters needing a place to gather, a place for recreation, a place to host larger events, a place to attract new young families, a place to showcase what our township has to offer, etc.
The letter details that the lifespan of the arenas at five to 10 years currently. The group is concerned that the work they had begun and approved in principle with the former council is no longer favourable with the elected official’s current makeup. The RIC wants to take the next step of preparing an “RFP (request for proposal) which would provide a feasibility study and design to have a better idea of what this project will cost and to fully compare all the options.” The idea being that if this step is not taken the township will not be in the position to even apply for grants without having already laid the ground-work when our arenas’ lives end.
I love our two arenas and understand the pride our communities take in them. I know that we are so lucky to have two so close to one another. I just keep thinking of what my Dad said about this same dialogue, ad nauseam, back in the ‘70s! If not now then when? Costs are always going up, yes but what price can you put on all the potential benefits and spin-offs. Mr. Smith encourages people to contact their councilors to voice your opinion.
A good sport is good for sports
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