Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame

The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame marker for Francis H. Clergue

The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame is a series of sidewalk markers located on Queen Street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, adjacent to the Essar Centre sports arena. The Walk of Fame is a joint project between the city of Sault Ste. Marie and its Downtown Association, and honours those from the city or the Algoma District who have made outstanding contributions to the community or have made significant achievements in their chosen field(s) of work. Inductees are added on an annual basis.

History and requirements

The genesis of the Walk of Fame was City By-Law 2002-193, passed by the Sault Ste. Marie City Council on September 9, 2002. The by-law established a "Walk of Fame Program," to be operated by the city and the Downtown Association with the intent of honouring Sault Ste. Marie natives who have made significant contributions and outstanding achievements. By extension, the Walk was viewed as a means of enhancing tourism in the city and attracting patrons to the Downtown shopping and business district.

The by-law established a committee to select annual inductees and, at the outset, determine a suitable location for the Walk. The 8 committee members are appointed by the City Council for a 3-year term, and include the mayor, two city councilors, two representatives of the Downtown Association, two citizens at large, and one Chamber of Commerce representative.

The by-law also established ground rules for Walk inductees:

Markers and location

Each Walk of Fame inductee is immortalized on a 16-inch granite square, which includes a marble maple leaf displaying the inductee's name and year of induction.

The Walk of Fame markers are embedded in the sidewalk facing Queen Street, in front of the north end of the Essar Centre and the adjacent Memorial Square.

Inductees

Prospective inductee names were first submitted by the general public in 2003, from which the Walk of Fame Committee selected an inaugural list of 10 inductees. The selections were then tabled until a suitable time and place to launch the Walk of Fame was determined.

The first Walk of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 30, 2006, as part of the Essar Centre's grand opening weekend.[2] In subsequent years, inductee selections have been announced in late May or early summer, with formal induction ceremonies held the following autumn on the Essar Centre grounds.[3]

Note: (P) indicates a posthumous induction

Year of Induction Honoree Background
2006Roberta Bondarneurologist, astronaut, and the first Canadian woman in space
2006Francis H. Clergue(P)industrialist and visionary
2006Ken Danbyartist
2006Ron FrancisNHL player
2006Joanie and Gary McGuffinadventurers, conservationists, and authors
2006Ted NolanNHL- and junior-level hockey coach
2006Kevin Scottworld-record-setting speedskater
2006Morley Torgovauthor and humourist
2006Treble Chargerrecording artists
2006Jessica TuomelaParalympic swimmer
2007Phil EspositoNHL player, executive, and Team Canada 1972 alumnus
2007Tony EspositoNHL player, executive, and Team Canada 1972 alumnus
2007Harry Graham(P)forester and academic
2007John Rhodes(P)broadcaster and politician
2007Darren Zacksoftball pitcher
2008John Barker(P)local union leader and driving force behind The Sault's Group Health Centre
2008Angelo Bumbaccojunior hockey executive and co-founder of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
2008Joni Hensonlyric spinto soprano
2008Dr. David Waldeoncologist, cancer treatment pioneer, and hospital fundraiser
2009Doreen HumeColoratura Soprano soloist
2009Edie Kerr(P)organizer of many curling events, including the 1978 Macdonald Lassies Tournament and 1990 Labatt Brier
2009Russ Ramsay(P)broadcasting executive and MLA for Sault Ste. Marie
2009MCpl Scott Vernelli(P)served in Afghanistan with The Royal Canadian Regiment
2010Eric Alessandrinifundraiser and volunteer
2010Dr. Peter Blackneurosurgeon
2010Douglas Bradfordartist
2010Jo Forman(P)advocate of secondary school athletics
2011Trixie HardyDance instructor and theatrical producer
2011Tanya KimTelevision personality (etalk) and philanthropist
2011Walter Wallace(P)Educator, member of the Canadian Forces (49th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA) and humanitarian
2012Ross MervynRetired steelworker and promoter of anti-drug education and causes
2012Walter Newman(P)Founder of the Boys Naval Brigade
2012Brian Vallee(P)Journalist (Sault Star, Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, The fifth estate) and author (Life with Billy)
2012Tony Van Den BoschSocial worker and pioneer in addiction treatment
2013Sir William Hearst(P)Attorney, MLA for Sault Ste. Marie, and Premier of Ontario (1914-1919)
2013Team Jacobs
(Brad Jacobs, Ryan Fry, E. J. Harnden, Ryan Harnden)
Competitive curlers (champions of the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier)
2014Mac and BJ MarcouxParalympian alpine skiers
2014Lester PyetteJournalist/editor (Sault Daily Star, Calgary Sun, Toronto Sun, The London Free Press) and publishing executive (Sun Media)
2015Helen Arvonen(P)Author
2015James W Curran(P)Publisher of the Sault Star and founder of the Sault Rotary Community Day Parade

See also

References

External links

Coordinates: 46°30′50″N 84°20′11″W / 46.51395°N 84.33632°W / 46.51395; -84.33632

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