A new policy that resulted in the removal of trophies and memorabilia from municipal recreation facilities is all about maintaining a level of consistency and space.
That was the explanation from Delta's parks, recreation and culture department after trophies and banners were removed from the Ladner Leisure Centre, a move that prompted concern from at least one former member of the South Delta Minor Hockey Association executive.
Upset about big bucks being raised to house memorabilia, some decades-old, only to see the display cases and trophies removed, Barb Herold said in excess of $30,000 was spent to showcase trophies and banners from yesteryear. The removal order came following completion of a multi-milliondollar renovation of the facility.
Angered that past achievements were eing cast aside, she told the Optimist they were informed to either remove the items or they would be thrown out, prompting her to move them to a storage locker.
A staff report to Delta council last fall on the new policy noted the Ladner Leisure Centre was running out of space and could not continue to add championship pennants and trophy cases without a plan. It said a certain amount of space within each arena needed to be allocated.
In response to Herold's concerns, parks, recreation and culture department director Ken Kuntz noted his staff met with all arena users groups and that they were supportive of the revised policy.
Another meeting was held last month with the Herold and the current executive of the South Delta Minor Hockey Association, a meeting Herold said was productive, but added she still has some concerns.
"Time will tell if all the memorabilia will be reinstalled," Herold said.
She said Delta doesn't want anything that doesn't match the arena decor. Hockey had had five large showcases, but now there's only one case for all arena user groups to share.
Saying many banners and trophies have already gone back, Kuntz said it's important from an esthetic point of view to have display cases that match the décor of the rest of the interior, as well as have enough space for all groups.
"It was a very positive meeting. The understanding is there's opportunity to display memorabilia in the arena for everyone. They each have a certain allocation of space and the actual material being displayed are up to any sport organization," he said.
"There is the capacity to add more trophy cases and the association is looking into the possibility of adding those trophy cases," Kuntz added.
Ken Elmer, president of the South Delta Minor Hockey Association, also said it was a good meeting and that his association is not concerned about the policy aimed at all groups.
"I got to respect that the LLC is not a shrine, it's a taxpayer building. We have to have a standard that matches theirs and every other user group has to match as well," Elmer said.
