Call for Nominations to Sports Hall of Fame

In May 2016, Ross Quigley formed a committee and in 2017 they founded the Cobourg and District Sports Hall of Fame which is dedicated to documenting the history of local sports, preserving local sports memorabilia and honouring those local athletes and builders who have excelled in sports. Nominations were called for the first inductees in August 2018 and inductees were named in March 2019 at a ceremony – see links below.  Paul Currelly, Layton Dodge, Fred Dufton, Don Ito, Marty Kernaghan, Frank Mazza, Bill O’Neil and Steve Smith were then officially inducted at a gala event in June, 2019.  The “Great Hall” of the Cobourg Community Centre houses the memorabilia – some of it is inspected by a mother and… Read complete articleCall for Nominations to Sports Hall of Fame

Staff Propose Closing Memorial Arena

Ever since the Cobourg Community Centre opened in 2011 with two ice pads, there has been a question of what to do with the Jack Heenan Arena and the Memorial Arena.  In late 2011 the West Northumberland Curling Club took over the newer Jack Heenan Arena but the aging Memorial Arena was still being used each winter (well, Labour Day to March 5). But now the cost of necessary repairs and upgrades look to put an end to its life as an Arena. The building could still be used for something else and an Ad Hoc committee and a Public meeting are recommended to help with a decision. There are still some users but staff believe they can be accommodated… Read complete articleStaff Propose Closing Memorial Arena

A Busy Day in Victoria Park and on the Beach

Probably not a record, but a lot was happening on Sunday.  On a perfect summer day, Cobourg’s Victoria Park was host to the 25th Anniversary Lakeside Antique and Classic Car Show organized by the Great Pine Ridge Region of the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada.  There were around 200 cars ranging in vintage from the early 1900’s to the 1990’s.  On the beach, as well as regular beach goers and sun-lovers, there was competitive beach volleyball staged by the Ontario Volleyball Association.  Despite the large number of competitors and onlookers, there was plenty of room for others.  The high lake water levels were not a problem although some may have stayed away fearing a problem.  The third event… Read complete articleA Busy Day in Victoria Park and on the Beach

Rain doesn’t stop Northumberland Classic

Despite the rain on Saturday morning (May 25), the bicycle race was held as scheduled with 200 participants competing.   Races started and finished at the Baltimore recreation centre – there was a 3km link to a loop that included the Northumberland Heights road hill and depending on the race, as many as 8 laps of that loop were required.  (See links below for details and route map). Participants were both men and women ranged in age from 17 to 60 although they were grouped according to ability.  Police manned key intersections and several cars followed the riders including one with para-medics to help with the inevitable spills.  The event was organized by Greg Rawson and his company Performance Driven Events… Read complete articleRain doesn’t stop Northumberland Classic

Northumberland Classic Bicycle Race Returns

In 2018, Greg Rawson brought two major bicycle events to Cobourg and vicinity – the Criterium race in  August in Downtown Cobourg and the Northumberland Classic in May starting at Baltimore Arena.  This year, they will both be on the weekend of May 25, 26 with the grueling Northumberland Classic on Saturday once again in Baltimore and the Criterium race moving to Trenton on Sunday.  For the Classic, more than 300 participants are expected in 10 categories spread over 3 races.  The Elite category will complete 140Km but even the minimum category does 72 KM.  The course includes climbing hills – notably Northumberland Heights road – see map below.  The first race starts at 8:30 am and is expected to… Read complete articleNorthumberland Classic Bicycle Race Returns

Cobourg Cyclists’ Team Enter Race Across America

For 36 years, Race across America (RAAM) has been “challenging ultracyclists from around the globe to push their physical and mental limits to the farthest reaches.”  It’s a 5,000 kilometer nonstop cycling race across America –  starting in Oceanside California and finishing in Annapolis, Maryland.  Contestants will climb 175,000 feet with only 9 days to complete the race!  RAAM is about 30% longer than the Tour de France, but must be completed in half the time. It attracts cyclists from around the globe and is truly the pinnacle of athletic achievement. This year, a team of four cyclists from Cobourg – they call themselves the Cantastic 4 – will be one of the only Canadian teams racing, and they chose… Read complete articleCobourg Cyclists’ Team Enter Race Across America

Float your Fanny 2019

It was a sunny Spring day and the crowd was big – no exact estimate but I’d say bigger than last year.  The Float your Fanny down the Ganny event was as entertaining as ever and by my count, more spills for canoes than previously and additional drama from the several paddle boards.  I had a good spot for taking videos up until most of the crazy craft came down – my 15 minute video is below.  Although there were lots of spills, the Port Hope Fire department had three pairs of officers who helped many – some needing help but others seemed OK just floating down the Ganny without their canoe or paddle (around 8:10 on the video).  The… Read complete articleFloat your Fanny 2019

Special Olympics – Cobourg Fundraising

As well as the better known ParaOlympics held in conjunction with the summer Olympic Games, there is also the Special Olympics which has year round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.  This year, Ontario is holding a Special Olympics Invitational Youth Games which will bring together 2,000 student-athletes aged 13-21 from around the world to Toronto.  On Monday, March 25, Cobourg Police symbolically raised a flag to show their support for the games and the effort in Cobourg to raise money to help local athletes participate.  A Special Constable (Amy) helped organize this – both the Police and the Town showed their support with Chief Kai Liu leading the ceremony and Deputy Mayor Suzanne Séguin… Read complete articleSpecial Olympics – Cobourg Fundraising

Cobourg District Sports Hall of Fame First inductees

The startup of the Cobourg’s Sports Hall of Fame was held Sunday afternoon at the Cobourg Community Centre.   Joel Scott was the MC but the spotlight was on the organizing board, the display cabinets and the first eight inductees.   Ross Quigley introduced and spoke for the Board who presented certificates of appreciation to supporters and donors.  One supporter was the Peterborough Sports Hall of Fame who had provided a lot of help and took the opportunity to present a cheque for $2000 – see the list of all major supporters below.  When the Town of Cobourg was recognized, Mayor John Henderson acknowledged that Council support had happened when Gil Brocanier was Mayor so he shared the recognition.  The first eight… Read complete articleCobourg District Sports Hall of Fame First inductees