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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-01-07, Page 22 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, JANUARY 7, 2004 4 News `Uphill climb' predicted for Junior D team organizer OHA president and Seaforth minor hockey president agree that local support needed for team to succeed From Page 1 McLachlan said Agar must still present a proposal and business plan to the arena board and apply for a licence from the Ontario Hockey Association. Agar could not be reached by the Huron Expositor for comment. Dave Parsons, of Stratford, the Centenaires' last owner, tried to sell the team to Seaforth community members during the spring of 2002 for an undisclosed amount which those involved at the time said ranged from $7,000 to $15,000. But, talks fell apart when disagreerpent arose about whether or not Parsons actually owned the team and local players drifted onto other Junior teams in Huron and Perth Counties. Ladds said a one-year leave of absence was granted to the Centenaires by the OHA but outstanding debts to the association caused the Centenaires to default on its membership and the leave of absence did not continue for a second year. "There is no Centenaires franchise anymore," said Ladds, who added that someone applying for a new membership will have to pay an initiation fee of $5,000, along with a $1,000 bond. As well, other hurdles a new Junior D team will have to jump include approval by other Junior D teams in the league When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. ALLAN CARTER Specializing in LORI TI AN • Farm - Commercial - Auto - Property 5 MAIN STREET, SOUTH SEAFORTH, ON (519)527-2500 Open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - OR by appoinment if needed = =� On Your Mark...Get Set...Fight Alzheimer Disease!! 9T" ANNUAL WALK FOR MEMORIES EAST HURON LOCATION Seaforth Public School 58 Chalk St. North, Seafoiel Saturday, January 24, 2004 10 am- 12 pm MAKE A CLICK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION Register and Donate at www.walkformemories.ca or call 519-482-1482 or 1-800-561-5012 to request a pledge sheet All Proceeds Support the Alzheimer Society of Huron County Excavating? Bulldozing? Backhoeing? Gravel Delivery? *kflrfill- t. • VANDRIEL 482-3783 Excavating Inc. Simon VanDriel CLINTON and a review by the OHA to determine the need for a Junior D team in Seaforth. That review would include letters of support from Seaforth minor hockey and Seaforth business people and research by the OHA into factors such as whether or not enough players could be found to field a team and whether or not there is enough community support to fundraise the $35,000 to $50,000 annual budget needed by a Junior D team. "If it's going to be a strong franchise, it has to be driven by the people of Seaforth and have heavy core support by minor hockey and the local business community. It's difficult operating a hockey club as an out-of-town business at the local arena," said Ladds. "Generally, it's very hard to bring back the kids after a team has folded. I've seen it happen where a team folds and never gets back into the community," he said. Ladds added that factors leading to the demise of the Centenaires included a lack of community support both with volunteers and financial help and a difficulty finding local players. He guessed that the closure of Seaforth's high school added to the difficulty of attracting local players. "And, that's unfortunate because Seaforth does have a reputation of producing some good hockey players," he said. Seaforth minor hockey president Kevin Williamson said' that while Agar has not yet approached him for support in starting up a Junior D team, he would "love to see it happen." "I think it's a great idea. I miss the team myself," said Williamson, a former Centenaire. However, he shared Ladds' trepidation that a lack of community support could prevent the team from re-forming. "We already see a lack of interest in getting involved by parents in minor hockey. We're struggling with two or three people doing it all and right now I'm minor hockey's president, treasurer and town contact," he said. "If this guy from London wants to own and run the team, I hope he's committed to running it himself with little support," he said. Williamson said he's heard a lot of skepticism about someone starting up a new Junior D team. "No one's heard of him (Agar) and why would someone from London want to start up a team in Seaforth. Seaforth's a great hockey community but if the locals can't run it, how could an -outsider?" he asked. Williamson said the parents of players at the Pee Wee and Bantam age need to get involved in setting up the Junior D team since their children are getting close to the age of playing Junior hockey. He added that the down side to starting up a Junior D team would be decreased ice team for minor hockey and public skating, especially. if the Junior D team holds its games Sunday afternoons. ."There is an opportunity for Junior hockey in Seaforth and we need to continue our hockey reputation but it's going to be tough," said Williamson. Former Centenaire executive president Colin Young said he is excited at the prospect of a Junior D team being based in Seaforth again. "I don't know what this guy's got going but I think they could get something together. All our kids are going out of town to play junior hockey now but I'm sure we'd be able to get some back. My son still has three years to play junior hockey," said Young. "I think a few would be willing to help out." Seaforth Manor retirement home closed with four remaining cases of influenza A From Page 1 facilities are dealing with outbreaks of respiratory illness. On Monday, Cathie Schalk, Seaforth Manor administrator, reported having only four confirmed cases of influenza A in the retirement home, which is & Auct on Inc. A New Year Another New Truckload Bayfield Rd. Clinton ' 482-9364 down from the eight cases reported last week. The retirement home is closed to visitors but the nursing home is operating at regular hours. Visitors are allowed but must wash their hands before entering the facility. Maplewood Manor Retirement Residence in Seaforth and Queensway Retirement and Nursing Home in Hensall remain open to visitors and none of their residents are sik with influenza. Mary Cardinal, site leader of the Seaforth Community Hospital, said that the emergency department continues to be busy with people who have flu-like symptoms, but the hospital has still not admitted any patients with influenza A. "We ask that people call We bring you LOCAL news like nobody else. LOCAL Sports LOCAL Weddings LOCAL Birth Announcements LOCAL Obituaries LOCAL Clubs and Organizations LOCAL Community Leaders LOCAL Business News LOCAL Education News LOCAL Farm News LOCAL Government News LOCAL Crime Reports' LOCAL Sale Prices LOCAL like nobody else. Why subscribe to The Huron Expositor? Because this is where LOCAL people find LOCAL news 52 weeks a year! Call today to subscribe. Exp Phone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 email: seaforth•bowesnet.com their doctors or call the hospital ahead of time if they have flu-like symptoms and to stay at home to avoid any outbreaks," said Cardinal. The health unit is also monitoring absenteeism at schools and many schools across Huron County are seeing high rates of students at home sick. Principals are required to report to the health unit when 10 per cent of a school's students are absent. Seaforth Public School reported on Monday that it had a dozen absences while St. James School had under 10. "Parents are reminded that as flu viruses change over time, new strains are most likely to infect young children because they have had no or limited exposure to the new strains or similar previous flu virus strains," said Henning in the press release. "To help prevent the spread of flu, please keep sick children out of school or . daycare until they have fully recovered and have been fever -free for at least 24 hours. Children can spread the flu for up to one week." Henning added that she continues to urge those who are sick to stay at home and to avoid visiting friends or relatives in hospitals or long- term care facilities. Anyone who did not get the flu shot is asked to avoid visiting long-term care facilities and hospitals to protect those who are at high risk for serious flu complications. The health unit is reminding people that they can still get vaccinations from their family doctors or during intake sessions from 1:15 - 4 p.m. at the health unit. Vanastra Rec Centre fitness room gets $30,000 in new equipment in 2003 From Pogo 1 OPP is trying again through the Seaforth Business Improvement Arca (BIA). Smith Packaging Ltd. owner Dave Smith said he plans to start rebuilding immediately, after a weekend fire destroyed the main building of his Jarvis Street business. Jan. 29, 2003 The Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre (SCCC) has a new home. The daycare ccntre reached a written agreement last week with thc A v o n Maitland District School Board about moving the daycare to the north side of the former Seaforth District High School building, where Seaforth Public School will move this September. After delaying a decision on who will conduct a water study for Seaforth's drinking water for two weeks to collect a second tender, Huron East council ended up accepting the first tender afterall at its Jan. 21 meeting. American Water Services' LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENTS 1st & 2nd Mortgages $25,000. - $190.80/mth $50,000. - $381.61/mth $100,000. - $763.21/mth Call 1-86648474S43 FatiMFu l*WOW nding Mortgages Bought, Sold tender for $46,275 was accepted by council when faced with a decision between AWS and Gamsby and Mannerow's tender for $44,100. The Vanastra Recreation Centre fitness room has been completely re -equipped with about $30,000 worth of equipment. The equipment was purchased from a gym in Parkhill that closed down. Even though attendance was limited because of winter weather, local organizers were pleased with this year's Family Literacy Day festivities. About 30 children participated in circle activities promoting literacy at thc school last Sunday. The activities included watching a video, singing, acting out stories, a puppet play and a game of pictionary. Cigarettes stolen at Janet's Donuts Close to $4,725 in cigarettes and $600 in cash were stolen during a break- in at Janet's Donut Shop on Main Street, Seaforth sometime overnight on Dec. 25. A window to the business was forced open during the break-in. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers.