The Bobby Orr Hall Of Fame is getting nearly $500,000 in FedNor funding to help offset the cost of the permanent exhibition’s re-design.
Officials say the money, coming through the Tourism Recovery Fund, will cover three-quarters of the total costs of completely re-designing the exhibition.
“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,” says Roger Burden, Parry Sound Town Councillor and representative on the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Exhibition Ad-Hoc Committee.
According to town officials, the new design will allow for a more diverse interpretation of the sports heritage of Parry Sound and 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. Three inductees into the Hall of Fame hail from Wasauksing First Nation, Barry “Hawk” Tabobondung, Les Tabobondung and Bob Rice.
Officials say 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, 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, with a grand re-opening celebration planned for the summer.
The town says the remaining funds required to complete the project are being sought through additional grant funding, sponsorships, and a contribution from the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Special Projects Reserve Fund.
To find out more about the project you can visit the Hall of Fame’s website for project updates.