It’s about time the Township of Langley had an athletic Hall of Fame, councillor Steve Ferguson says.
“I think it’s a good time to look at it,” Ferguson said.
There are many potential honourees, he said, among them athletes like David Esworthy, who was inducted into the B.C Sports Hall of Fame last year for his contribution to equestrian sports in the province as a judge, steward, horse show organizer, horse show chair and industry advisor.
Or Lauren Barwick, a multiple medallist in Para-Dressage events at the Paralympic Games.
Or Toronto Blue Jays player Brett Lawrie.
“We’ve got lots of great people,” Ferguson told The Times.
Ferguson wants Township staff to investigate a hall of fame, possibly at the Langley Events Centre or the Township municipal hall.
“We don’t need to build a building” Ferguson said.
“It doesn’t have to be that big.”
He’s thinking of something relatively modest, along the the Coquitlam model, which operates a small hall of fame in the Poierier Sports and Leisure Complex with exhibition space for photos and news clippings of outstanding performers.
“It’s kind of neat,” Ferguson said of the Coquitlam approach.
He notes there already is a hockey hall of fame in Langley at the George Preston Recreation Centre, but his proposal would cover all sports.
His written notice of motion, filed Monday, suggests a hall of fame that would recognize “individuals and teams, various sports, athletes of both genders, and athletes of all ages.”
If the rest of council votes in favour of his proposal at the next regular meeting, municipal administration staff would research the concept, including a review of what other communities have done, then report back to council on “the possible process, budget requirements, and steps required for the Township of Langley to begin recognizing significant athletic achievements in our community.”
