The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, February 18, 2010 · 16 Hall of Fame officially welcomes deserving 2010 class the Oakville Speed Skating Club has become one of the most-respected club of its kind in the province. But The Oakville Sports Hall of he's not about to take all the credit. Fame officially welcomed its six "This isn't about me," O'Donnell newest members with its 7th Gala said. "It's about all the people in this Induction Dinner Thursday at club who have worked tirelessly Oakville Conference Centre. over the years. I'm just the face of Many of the previously-hon- it." oured members of the Hall were on O'Donnell credited the Town's hand to welcome Mark O'Donnell parks and recreation department for (speed skating), Andrew Hurd the club's success as well, expressing (swimming), Tom Fergus (hockey), appreciation for the ice time allocatDick Grimm (golf), John Gilbert ed to the club. (badminton) and Bob MacKinnon He added a major key to the (hockey) into their exclusive club. growth of the Oakville Speed Some were recognized for their Skating Club has been the "village athletic achievements, while others mentality" of its members. were feted for their contributions "We have all kinds of skaters. We to the sport and assistance of oth- have Canadian-ranked kids and ers. But all were flattered and even North American-ranked kids, and humbled by their induction into they all have an affinity for (Special the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame. Olympic athletes) and other kids on MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER The Oakville Beaver caught up the ice," he said. "That's a testament CLASS OF 2010: Pictured from left to right, Bob MacKinnon (represented by his daughter, Marni), Dick Grimm, Tom with five of this year's six inductees. to them and to the club for being a Fergus, Mark O'Donnell, John Gilbert and Andrew Hurd were officially welcomed into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame Bob MacKinnon, who passed away village." Thursday night at the Oakville Conference Centre. in 2002, was represented at the dinAndrew Hurd ner by his daughter Marni. Bailey (sprinting). Now he's in the It's great to be done, but also I do softball in the town. "I ended up here just by Hurd's heros growing up Oakville Sports Hall of Fame with miss it." Mark O'Donnell Hurd now resides in Indiana. chance, and I'm glad I took the included local Olympians Larry them. Under O'Donnell's leadership, Cain (paddling) and Donovan "It's a couple people you know chance," he said. "I have no Tom Fergus and you look up to, and it's always intention of moving. There are special to be within that group," Most hockey-playing young- great people here and we've met com www. Hurd said. sters dream of winning the great friends." Hurd will likely be looked up Stanley Cup, but Fergus admits Dick Grimm Depend on the largest Dealer in the Golden Triangle. to by many of Oakville's youth he didn't even imagine playing in as well, particularly swimmers. the NHL. Grimm is one of the most influThe Oakville Aquatic Club "When we were kids, it was a ential men in Canadian golf histomember represented Canada at distant dream. I'm not even sure ry, bringing the Canadian Open High Efficiency Gas Furnace three Olympic Games before it was in our dreams," said the and the PGA Tour to Oakville in the 96% EFF. retiring from competition two former popular Toronto Maple 1970s. NO INTEREST NO PAYMENT FOR * years ago. Leafs forward. "It's very different Yet, he was taken aback by his ONLY 6 MONTHS Hurd said deciding to quit today, when kids think about it. nomination to the Oakville Sports PACKAGE INCLUDES: · 96% High Efficiency Two Stage INSTALLED swimming in order to focus on his We never did. I never won a Cup, Hall of Fame. Variable Speed Gas Furnace LIMITED TIME OFFER al A/C · 15.75 SEER High Efficiency Central Air R410A Refrigerant business career has been bitter- unfortunately, but I always "I'm obviously honoured," he Centr While Supplies Last · 10 Years Factory Warranty SEER 15.75 sweet. thought making it and playing said. "I'm astounded by the num"I just decided I didn't want to with the older guys I grew up ber of people here. I'm very proud OVER 60,000 do another four years," he said. watching was great." to be a part of it." SATISFIED CUSTOMERS "Anyone at that level of sport really Fergus, a Chicago native, Hall of fame membership is 905-849-4998 has to dedicate their life to it. You moved to Oakville 24 years ago. nothing new to Grimm. He was www.aireone.com have to love it to dedicate your life Since his playing career ended, inducted into the Canadian Golf 9 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER 1-888-827-2665 A+ Rating *See dealer for details to it, so it's something you'll miss. he has helped coach hockey and See Badminton page 17 By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR AIRE ONE MADNESS SALE OAC FURNACE & CENTRAL AIR R $ 3990 *After Government, Aire One and Manufacturer Rebates. Must have existing Furnace and A/C. *Call now for details. Offer cannot be combined. OAC. Accessories excluded. Call us to see if you qualify. BUY NOW AND SAVE THE HST!