Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
Two weeks ago, the Ontario Junior Super League was in position to conduct their hockey operations this season using the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex in Shelburne as their ” hub ” in a somewhat similar fashion to how the National Hockey League operated last Summer in Toronto and in Edmonton.
The difference for the OJSL was the 9 league teams would come into Shelburne, play a game and then depart immediately back to their home centre, a process they were scheduled to run from mid-November through March.
According to League President Dwayne McKillop two weeks ago, safety and pre-caution measures pertaining to COVID-19 were in place and he assumed everything was a ” go “.
However, at the Shelburne Town Council meeting on November 9th, concern and reservations were expressed and the Rec Complex Board was advised to re-think their previous decision of approval.
Four days later at a special video conference between Council, McKillop and community stakeholders in Shelburne, the OJSL concept was halted.
The next day, I spoke with Dwayne McKillop for an hour, which is about 55 minutes longer than I speak with most people about their sporting projects and activities.
The President fully understood the concerns that were raised and was respectful of the ultimate decision.
No anger.
No pouting.
No negative emotional display at the turn of events.
Having said that, he was surprised that the Complex Board, in essence the town, took his cheque, cashed it and then later Council members boldly stated they knew ” nothing about the OJSL ” and put on an almost predictable display of political grandstanding.
Furthermore, and in fairness this was my view and not President McKillop’s, I failed to see the difference between the OJSL coming in to Shelburne, playing their games and then departing to their home centre contrasted to every day life in Shelburne where thousands depart that community for work in Orangeville, Barrie, Guelph and the G.T.A. on a daily basis and then return to Shelburne within a 12 hour span or less.
I’m Fred Wallace