Mayor Randy Hope Discusses Sports in Chatham-Kent
- Mayor Randy Hope
There is a lot going on in the world of sports here in Chatham-Kent. That fact is for sure. For Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope, many of his important tasks and decisions in the coming years will have an impact on Chatham-Kent’s athletic landscape, as well as the health and well being of local citizens.
At the forefront for many Chatham-Kent citizens in terms of sports, is the discussion about a new twin-pad arena in Chatham, and the decommission of Chatham’s older arenas. Although a new twin-pad arena isn’t in the immediate plans, it is, according to Mayor Hope, a future need that the community as a whole will need to address,
“We’re trying to upgrade all of our facilities, and the last are here in Chatham. We do understand the community is very interested in a double pad arena,” said Mayor Randy Hope, “If we do something we want to make sure whatever investment we make has a return. Will there be growth around it and future opportunities? We need to make sure that wherever we put the arena, we get dividends for the surrounding businesses and community members.”
In terms of Chatham’s older arenas, Hope stated that upon the arrival of a new twin-pad arena, Chatham’s two oldest arenas would be either decommissioned, or repurposed,
“Memorial Arena will probably be decommissioned completely; however, there are growing sports such as indoor soccer, indoor football, and ball hockey, along with other activities in our community, that could be serviced by repurposing a facility such as Erickson, but we’ll have to do a cost analysis.”
On the topic of arenas and hockey in Chatham-Kent, Hope responded when asked about the possibility, and sustainability of an OHL franchise in Chatham-Kent by stating he believed it was a viable option — if Chatham-Kent had a new state-of-the-art twin-pad arena with 4,500 to 5,000 seats in one rink,
“I think it’s a viable option. Years ago the Hunter brothers were here looking at Chatham-Kent as a viable option. Looking at our geography, supporting an OHL team would take a committment from the citizens of Chatham-Kent, not just Chatham. It would also be the other centres travelling here from Windsor, Sarnia, and London to watch their teams. People dream of seeing 4 teams within a proximity like that. Imagine the rivalries it could create.”
Although a new ice complex was at the centre of CKSN’s discussion with Mayor Hope, he stated the other new and ever improving complexes and facilities in Chatham-Kent, along with the potential for a new twin-pad complex, are opening doors for young athletes locally,
“We’ve seen the improvements in complexes at arenas, ball diamonds, the St. Clair Health Plex, but we’ve also seen the need for that ultimate ice complex to replace two failing buildings. Do we wait or activate now? We need to be more visionary and say, “Can we wait until the foundation crumbles, or do we start building a new foundation for the future?”
Mayor Hope pointed to the new YMCA facility, and Health Plex at Thames Campus as examples of what Chatham-Kent has been doing to help imrpove and grow a culture for not only sports, but also for health and fitness,
“I think the new complexes will provide that new and attractive opportunity,” said Hope, “It’s new pools and state-of-the-art facilities that will inspire people, because new facilities inspire people to go see it and be more active. I truly believe people want to be a part of “the best,” and by participating in the new facitilies, they’ll feel a part of the best and new beginnings here in Chatham-Kent.”
Hope who grew up playing minor sports including hockey in Tilbury, and claims to be a die hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan (although he’s picking the Vancouver Canucks to win this year’s Stanley Cup), said he knows there is still room for improvement in terms of sports and athletics in Chatham-Kent, but that the opportunities, and mindset for success is there within our youth, families, and athletes,
“Kids around this community have opportunities. We believe in road hockey, riding our bike, and getting out; we weren’t glued to televisions growing up. In Chatham-Kent, we have that opportunity to go out and discover things, whether it’s golf or canoeing, watersports or running, it’s free, it’s there for them. I think what has happened in this community, along with the coaching our athletes get, is the community has made people feel a part of it, and we all rally behind our athletes to support them in their endeavours.”
Great article! Glad to hear Mr. Hope speaking out about the positives and a topic other than culture in the news. Sports are a huge economic boost. Think about the tournaments etc that bring in outsiders. This is an area we need to focus on building and I’m glad Hope is recognizing this.