THUNDER BAY – LETTERS – I enjoyed attending the 75th anniversary of the Fort William Gardens on Sat. March 7th. Nice to see so many old friends and hockey buddies. Fort William Gardens was like a second home for many of us. I played my first hockey game in the gardens when I was about 17 years old back in the mid sixties. I was playing juvenile hockey at the time and was elated when our coach stated we would be playing one game in the Fort William Gardens as our entire schedule was played on outdoors rinks including Minnesota Park. We used to watch junior and senior games at the Fort William Gardens but never dreamed we would actually get the opportunity to play a game there.
In the 1980’s my hockey buddies and I rented an hour of ice time every week at the Fort William Gardens. We divided up into two teams and had lots of fun and some very competitive games. We also participated in the Elk’s Oldtimers tournament which we won a couple of times. Some of our players had previously played professional hockey so we had some pretty good teams.
I also remember roller skating at the gardens to the music of the Ventures. I have many other good memories of the Gardens including the 1971 International Juvenile Hockey tournament I organized and ran with the final two championship games being played here. The team I coached the Fort William Canadian Juveniles won the consolation event and the Fort Gary team from Winnipeg won the championship game. From 1992-1994 I coached Confederation College 67’s hockey team with many of our games played in the Fort William Gardens.
I spent much time at the gardens in the 1980’s as I was a member of the Thunder Twins executive for six years and two of their record 5 Allan Cups. (1988 and 1989) I was in charge of public relations and remember the hundreds of posters that were entered and displayed at the Fort William Gardens by local students in support of the Thunder Bay Twins drive for a fifth Allan Cup in 1989.
The best hockey game I ever saw, anywhere was at the Fort William Gardens in 1985 when the Thunder Bay Twins defeated Spokane in the 7th and deciding game of the Western Allan Cup finals 5-4 in front of over 5,700 fans. Some fans may still remember me holding up a “Make the Wave” sign. Well the fans sure did and it went around the gardens several times in one of the all time greatest games ever played at the Fort William Gardens.
The Twins then went to Corner Brook, Newfoundland and won their 3rd Allan Cup defeating the Cornerbrook Royals in 7 games after dropping the first three. I attended all 7 games in Corner Brook and the following year formed a Blue Line Club in support of the Twins. Other good memories I have of the Fort William Gardens were concerts I attended by Willie Nelson, Al Martino and comedian Bob Hope. Other events I enjoyed included the Shrine Circus, the Sportsman Show, the Folklore Festival, Major Curling and Figure Skating Championships and Remembrance Day Ceremonies.
It is not surprising that many of us campaigned to “Save the Fort William Gardens ” over the years as this iconic building has stood the test of time and continues to serve this community well. I remember standing in front of City Hall on Nov 6th 1990 holding up a sign on a hockey stick that read ” Save the Fort William Gardens” I still have the photo that made the front page of the paper.
Jerry Kirk who attended the ceremonies on Saturday was a member of the Fort William Canadians and took the opening faceoff in 1951 when the Fort William Gardens opened. Alex (Moe) Irving took the faceoff for the Fort William Hurricanes.
He stated on Saturday March 7th that he believes the Fort William gardens has another 75 years left. ” This is a concrete building. It’s going to last just about forever until they knock it down and why knock it down when it’s useful.?
Maple Leaf Gardens opened in 1931 and was designated an Ontariio Heritage property in 1991 and a National Historic Site in 2007. Perhaps the Fort William Gardens deserves the same designation. Maple Leaf Gardens transformed into a Loblaws grocery store and the Mattamy Athletic Centre on the upper levels with a 3200 seat rink after the Toronto Maple Leafs moved to the Air Canada Centre now known as the Scotiabank Arena. I was lucky enough to attend the last game the Leafs played in Maple Leaf Gardens on Feb 13, 1999 which just happened to be on my birthday. Matt Sundin, the Leaf Captain who always wore sweater number 13 was also celebrating his birthday on this historic occassion. When the Lakehead University Thunderwolves play MTU in Toronto they play in the remodelled Maple Leaf Gardens, at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.
I would like to thank members of the Lakehead University Thunderwolves who encouraged me as I skated around the Fort William Gardens on Sat. March 7th and to the player who let me use his helmet. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to skate here again and also meet some of the Thunderwolves fine hockey players.
Junior Hockey playoffs have started and fans should plan to catch some of the games that will be played at the Fort William Gardens and view the fantastic photos that have been put up to celebrate the gardens 75 years. Make a point of viewing the one of Don “Beaver” Poile of the Fort William Hurricanes Junior hockey team who scored the first goal in the Fort William Gardens on March 6th 1951.
It is a great photo and well worth seeing along with all the others.
Ray Smith
