The Town of Parry Sound is thrilled to announce that the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame will be receiving a grant of $494,250 from the federal Tourism Recovery Fund administered by FedNor. The funding will cover 75% of the total costs of completely re-designing the permanent exhibition at the Hall of Fame.
The Bobby Orr Hall of Fame opened its doors in 2003 and its time to update our offerings. This project will encompass a complete re-design of the exhibit space to allow for a more diverse interpretation of the sport heritage of Parry Sound in formats that will be accessible to a diverse audience. Additionally, the new exhibition will address the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions’ Call to Action #87 to provide public education to tell the stories of Aboriginal athletes in Canadian history. Parry Sound is located on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek people as recognized in the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850. Three inductees into the Hall of Fame hail from Wasauksing First Nation, Barry “Hawk” Tabobondung, Les Tabobondung and Bob Rice.
As the town’s representative on the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Exhibition Ad-Hoc Committee, I would like to express, on behalf of the Mayor and Council, our gratitude to the Ontario government for their generous financial support via FEDNOR for this very important project. It would be nearly impossible for us to finance this project without this generous FEDNOR grant. This is an exciting project that will, hopefully, continue to make the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame a popular attraction and destination for area residents and visitors for many years to come. Roger Burden – Parry Sound Town Council.
The existing Hall of Fame exhibition will close to the public in the Fall of 2022 to allow for the packing and storage of the artifacts on display and preparation for the construction which is scheduled to happen through the winter. The new exhibition will open to the public in the spring of 2023, just in time for the 20th anniversary of The Charles W. Stockey Centre and Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. A grand re-opening celebration is planned for next summer.
To learn more, read the press release.
