Tag: Sports

YMCA Pool – Part 2

John Draper

In addition to the information provided in the agenda for the Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting tonight, more info was made available at the actual meeting.  Some of it was a surprise to Councillors and caused quite a discussion – so I am providing an unusual follow up to yesterday’s post.  Leslie Murray led the YMCA delegation but Mark Galonski from the YMCA board was helping.  As noted in the addendum to yesterday’s article, the Y is not planning to merge with the CCC since the joint YMCA/ Town committee decided against that.  In their presentation Leslie and Mark said that they wanted Town support in the form of $500,000 spread over 5 years starting in 2021 – but… Read complete articleYMCA Pool – Part 2

Dragon Boat Festival 2019

John Draper

Cobourg’s West Harbour was alive today with the Annual Dragon Boat festival – a fund-raiser for the United Way.  It started at 8:00 am and ran until 4:00 pm. Now in its 20th year –  there were 13 teams, 5 competitive and the others simply participating.  One of the teams (of course) is the Survivor Thrivers but there are other local teams such as Rotary as well as visitors from Ottawa and Belleville.  Visiting teams usually stay overnight and enjoy their weekend in Cobourg.  Races start at the East Pier and about 1 minute and 15 seconds later they finish at the West headland.  Weather is not always good but today was sunny and hot – unusual for September 21. … Read complete articleDragon Boat Festival 2019

Call for Nominations to Sports Hall of Fame

John Draper

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

John Draper

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

John Draper

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

John Draper

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

John Draper

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

John Draper

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