Reeve B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt crowns Betty Ann Payette as Winter Queen at opening of Chapleau Memorial Community Arena in 1951 as 2,200 fans roar approval

Betty Ann Payette was crowned Winter Queen by Reeve B.W. "Bubs" Zufelt as one of the major highlights at the official opening of the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena on February 3, 1951.

The new arena was opened almost 50 years to the day after Chapleau had been incorporated as a municipality, replacing the "old rink" on Lorne Street and built at same location. Dedicated to Chapleau citizens who lost their lives serving in Canada's armed forces in World Wars I and II, construction had started in October, 1950, and was completed before the end of the winter.

The Chapleau Post reported that that Betty Ann was greeted with the applause of 2200 enthusiastic fans "ringing in her ears" when it was announced that she was the winner of the Winter Queen Contest. She was crowned by Reeve Zufelt during the official opening ceremonies.

The day's activities started with a noon luncheon at St. John's Anglican Church catered to by the ladies of the church for local and visiting dignitaries who included Sudbury MPP and mines minister Welland S. Gemmell, municipal affairs minister George Dunbar and CPR superintendent Fred Donegan. Arthur J. Grout was general chairman for the day's actvities.

The $50,000 memorial arena was to be financed through a $25,000 debenture, a $5,000 provincial grant and fundraising in the community. The CPR provided heat for the arena.

A finance committee report said that, "...it is a big undetrtaking, a great project where enthusiasm, loyalty, and appreciation can all express themselves".

"Sparked by a wide awake and active citizens committee the new arena was built through the combined efforts of almost every resident of the community...." the Chapleau Post reported. A board of management would assume responsibility for the operation of the arena including citizens and members of the township council. D.O. Payette became the arena manager.

As part of its fundraising pitch, the committee said, "This is no time for a silver collection. We need real folding money."

A colourful parade of floats, dog teams and decorated cars, led by the Chapleau High School Girls Bugle Band, moved off from the Town Hall at two p.m. in bright winter sunshine, following the luncheon, for the arena, where activities would get underway.

First prize in the float contest went to the Chapleau Boy Scouts for their traditional scout sceneof tent, camp fire and scouts on guard while another winner was the Department of Lands and Forests depicting a trapping scene. The Chapleau Figure Skating Club was another participant and Pat (Purich) Russell was able to provide a photo of her on it. The float had been designed by her sister Stella. In front is her brother Charlie in Maple Leafs sweater. Others not known.

Pat's father, Jimmy Purich was the parade marshal.

Among the afternoon activities was a broomball game between the Kormak Lumber Kings and Chapleau All Stars. Kormak won 1-0. There was also figure skating by Chapleau and Coniston skaters.
Reflecting on the Fifties in Chapleau, and into the Sixties, hockey and broomball teams from communities along the CPR main line between Biscotasing and White River were regular visitors to Chapleau and the memorial arena. Everybody travelled by train.


At eight p.m., Reeve Zufelt led the dignitaries to a platform at centre ice for the official opening ceremonies.

More than 50 members of Branch Number 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion were on parade for the dedication ceremony conducted by Rev. E. Roy Haddon of St. John's Anglican Church assisted by Msgr. Romeo Gascon of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and Rev. H.A. Strapp of Trinity United Church.

Following the opening ceremonies, interestingly, the major hockey game was between the Coniston Aces and Windsor CPR, which Coniston won 5-0. When Windsor came to Chapleau, they travelled on their own private railway car which was not uncommon in years gone by. Chapleau teams also had one at times. No idea why Chapleau was not playing. The day's activities ended with a mocassin dance on the ice surface.

An article in the Chapleau Post paid special tribute to Mrs. A.W. Moore for her fundraising efforts and another noted that the canvassers who went door to door included Edith "Teddy" Schroeder, Gertie Turner, Joe Ladouceur, Leslie Westerman, Ken Lajambe, Henry Therriault, Jack McNeil, Ed Lee, Basil Collings, J.O. Cahill and Toddy Collinson.

In 1951, along with Reeve Zufelt on the council were Arthur Grout, J.M. Shoup, George Young and E.J. Lepine.

Summing up the opening, Mr. Grout commented that "the great community spirit of the carnival days is still here." With the new arena he looked forward to the community reviving the great carnivals of the past. And, the community sure did!

My thanks to Doug Greig, Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick, Ann (Card) Morin, Pat (Purich) Russell, Juliette (Morin) Payette for their research assistance. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Remember the moon at the end of the arena and this song "By the light of the silvery moon. Sung here by Doris Day