ONTARIO GOVERNMENT BACKS DOWN AS THREE NORTHEASTERN PARKS TO REMAIN OPEN IN PILOT PROJECT

Faced with united opposition across Northeastern Ontario, the provincial government has partially backed down on park closures and has entered into a two-year pilot project agreement  to keep three open. Much credit is due to the efforts of the Friends of Ivanhoe Lake Provincial Park on Facebook, in applying pressure  on the Ontario government. Municipal councils were also greatly involved. Congrats folks in Northeastern Ontario on a job well done.

The following is the official news release from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Ontario is working with the Town of Hearst, the Township of Moonbeam and the City of Timmins to keep visitor services at provincial parks in their areas.

In September 2012, the province announced it was changing these parks from operating to non-operating designation along with seven others because of low visitation and occupancy levels that resulted in financial losses.

Under a two-year pilot project, Ontario Parks will work with the respective municipalities to operate Fushimi Lake, René Brunelle and Ivanhoe Lake provincial parks, with the goal of increasing their revenue and visitation rates. Municipal partners will be responsible for covering any financial losses incurred during the pilot period.

Alan Spacek President of FONOM, mayor of Kapuskasing is optimistic regarding the project’s potential success and benefits “The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is grateful for the relationship we share with Minister Gravelle and MNR. We want to thank the minister for being receptive and having a conversation on the future of these provincial parks.” said Spacek.

 Our council is very happy with MNR and Minister Gravelle. We hope that this project will work well as René Brunelle park is very important to our municipality. “Gilles Audet, Mayor, Township of Moonbeam

 Fushimi Lake is an important feature in the social and recreational life of our community. On behalf of our municipal council and Friends of Fushimi, I would like to convey our appreciation for the foresight and trust the Minister has shown to the Town of Hearst. This has helped us achieve a constructive partnership with the Ontario government that will give a second life to Fushimi Lake.” said Roger Sigouin Mayor, Town of Hearst.

Working collaboratively with municipalities is part of the McGuinty government’s plan to strengthen the economy and sustain jobs for families.

Quick Facts

• Beginning on Jan. 28, 2013, campsites can be reserved online 24 hours a day or by calling the park reservation line at             1-888-ONT-PARK       between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Fushimi Lake operates on a first come-first served basis; reservations are not accepted.
• There are more than 330 provincial parks in Ontario, over 100 of which will continue as operating parks that provide various visitor services.
• As part of the pilot, more seasonal campsites will be offered at the three parks. Applications for seasonal sites at these parks will be accepted between Jan. 18 and Feb. 1, 2013.

Learn More

Hardy curlers in Chapleau "shovel and sweep snow" to play on outdoor rink starting in bitterly cold winter of 1885

Claude Fortin with Pat Bamford, his first CHS curling coach at reunion

Curling arrived early in Chapleau's story with some of the community's first inhabitants making their own sheet of ice on a stretch of land on the east side of Lorne Street using water from Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) engine house and shops across the street during the winter of 1885-86.

In his Chapleau Snapshots, George Evans, using material from 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario' by Vince Crichton and other sources, provided a glimpse into the history of curling in the community which was established in 1885 with the arrival of the CPR.

These early curlers must have really loved the sport as Chapleau was in its infancy, a community of tents and shacks with construction underway on a station and office building. The population consisted of about 400 people, ninety-five percent of them men at the end of 1885, I noted in my 1984 book, 'Sons of Thunder ... Apostles of Love'.  But a roundhouse with turntable and water tank had been erected. 

Apparently the winter of 1885 was bitterly cold, which was pretty usual for Chapleau throughout its history, and disease was rampant, but curling was underway.

"Hardy curlers had to shovel and sweep snow... every time to play," George noted.

In the early years, curling had its "ups and downs" and was played only when "enough enthusiasts willing to make outdooor ice and shovel snow."

By the late 1880s, J. Gill had opened an outdoor skating rink just south of the site, and hockey also arrived in Chapleau. It must have taken off as a Chapleau hockey team made a road trip to Sudbury in 1893.

In his article George writes that Lombard Lafrance took over the rink in 1895 and made changes, including  heated changing shack, one for men and one for women and as high board fence as a defence against drifting snow. By 1904, the rink was entirely closed in. Eight years later a "group of citizens" took over and proceeded to renovate and enlarge it. Two more sheets of ice and clubroom were added in the early 1920s.

from left D Matheson, T. Godfrey, J. Hogg. G.B. Nicholson circa 1928

George suggested that perhaps caught up in the optimism of the "Roaring Twenties" by 1928, they left Lorne Street for their own four sheet building on Pine Street. Chapleau curling enjoyed some of its best early years between 1929 and 1932, despite the start of the Great Depression when it played host twice to the Northern Ontario Curling Association Bonspiels.

Then the effects of the Great Depression struck and dwindling membership became an issue by 1934. George's article notes that the club rejected "an obvious solution when it rejected applications from the four Pirie sisters. Curling was a man's game".

Rene Hackstetter collection

Nonetheless curling continued and Chapleau rinks continued to enjoy success in out-of-town bonspiels.

Women were not admitted until 1949. Interestingly, women appear to have been able to play when curling first arrived but somewhere along the way, they were banned.

After World War II, younger curlers assumed control of the club and as well as women being admitted the club obtained a liquor license that helped keep the books healthy -- and physical improvements were made. The clubroom was enlarged, a washroom was added as well as an oil furnace. 

In 1962, "the ultimate" happened when artificial ice was installed.

from left D. Cote, M.Tangie, D. Fortin, J. Crichton CHS curlers 1960s

George noted that in 1954 Vince Crichton was a major player in establishing school boy curling and a a year later, Herb Riley donated a trophy. Curling became a popular sport  at Chapleau High School. 

One of the highlights at the CHS reunion was the return of Pat Bamford, one of the popular curling coaches during the years he taught at the school. Claude Fortin provided photo of them being reunited and explained that Pat was his coach in the first year he curled.

In the mid 1970s, the Ontario Ministry of Labour ordered structural reports done on arenas and curling rinks and the Chapleau facility was subsequently closed. Despite improvements made at the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena to bring it up to standards, in due course, it was also facing closure.

The municipal council by 1976 had decided to replace the arena and the curling club executive asked to be included in the project which resulted in the Chapleau Recreation Centre, which was opened in 1978.

In his article, George commented that the Pine Street building had a "loveable rustic quality about it." It did indeed.

This is really a first rough draft of the history of curling in Chapleau that I am sharing made possible because of writing by the late George Evans and Vince Crichton. Also thanks to Claude Fortin and Rene Hackstetter. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Doug Prusky becomes coach of Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies with Jean Claude Cyr as captain for 1977-78 NIHL season

Doug Prusky, who had starred as a player at all levels in Chapleau hockey became the coach of the Chapleau Intermediate "A" Huskies with the 1977-78 season, the team's third in the Northland Intermediate Hockey League (NIHL) while veteran player, Jean Claude (JC) Cyr became the captain.

Doug was well known to Chapleau hockey fans as an outstanding player with the Junior "B" Huskies and the Intermediate "A" Huskies, until an injury cut short his playing career. He also played on the championship Bantam teams coached by Dave Futhey and David Mizuguchi.

Under the new bench boss, the Huskies established themselves as top contenders winning their two season openers on the road  defeating the Hearst Lumberkings 11-4 and Calvert GMs 6-2.

The Chapleau Sentinel reported that "with a new coach, new captain, several new players and the team stalwarts from the past season",  the wins were "a fine beginning (for Doug) as "the team had never won their first games since entering the league." Graham Bertrand was back as trainer.

The newspaper said that JC Cyr, the new captain played "sparkling hockey in both games and was rewarded for his efforts with five goals."

Glen Cappellani, who had returned home after a stint in the United States Hockey League showed that his semi-pro experience had really helped his game as he came up with "scintillating saves" in both games. Glen would share goaltending duties with David McAdam, who had been the team's stalwart since its beginning.

Steve Prusky, Doug's brother was also home after playing in the USHL and demonstrated the experience he had gained since leaving Chapleau where he had also been a star defenceman. "... (Steve) has the ability to control a hockey game from the blueline...," the Sentinel noted.

Other new faces were Ron Larcher and Gary Legros from the Junior "B" Huskies, Paul Scheer, joining his high scoring brother Bill on the team, and Rick Walker and Danny Homerodean from southern Ontario.

Other players on the roster  included veterans Jamie Doyle, Pat Swanson, Ted Swanson, Dave McMillan, Tom Laframboise, Paul McDonald, Ray Larcher, Richard Lacroix, George Card  and Keith McAdam. Terry Woermke, Danny Vaughan, Moe Poirier and Ted Zajac would also be on the team.

Before the season was too old, John Tavella, of Wawa, joined the team. At the time, John held the Ontario Hockey Association Major Junior "A" (Tier One) League record  for most goals and assists in a single season set while playing for the Soo Greyhounds in the 1975-76 season -- 67 goals and 70 assists.

John had also been the 10th round draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens but had decided not to play in their farm system. john Simons of Wawa, who had also played for the Soo Greyhounds joined the team for the 1978-79 season.

In the regular season of 30 games, the Huskies enjoyed tremendous success under Doug's guidance, winning 24, losing four and tying two but for the third year in a row they met their archrivals the Timmins Northstars in the semi-finals, and lost with the Timmins team going on to become league champions.

But the foundation had been laid, and in the 1978-79 season playing in the new Moore Arena, at the Chapleau Recreation Centre, with Doug returning as coach, the Huskies finally defeated the Northstars in the semi-finals, which to the team and Chapleau hockey fans seemed the equivalent of winning the Stanley Cup. They lost in the finals to Kirkland Lake Blue Devils. 

Doug beside bed at the Summerfest races

It would be the final season for the team in the NIHL which continued for several more years until it folded in the 1980s as the "baby boomers" grew older and players were no longer readily available.

After Doug succeeded me as coach, the Sentinel reported that fans and players wondered if I was now more excitable as manager than I had been as coach. As I went through files putting this rough draft of the Intermediate "A" Huskies history focusing on Doug's time as coach, and who was on the team, I really don't know. What I do know though, is that despite ups and downs, it was an awesome experience to have been part of the team and be able to live the great moments we all shared. Thanks guys, and a special thanks to Doug Prusky.

Doug, retired now from the Canadian Pacific Railway, lives in Chapleau with wife Tina (Cappellani) and daughter Mya where he is president of the Chapleau Figure Skating Club.

Happy New Year to all. My email is mj.morris@live.ca