If you’ve got a child in the Clarkson Sheridan Soccer Club, chances are, you’ve spent many evenings watching kids charge around the grass during the summer months at Bruce Reynolds Park just off of Springbank Road in Mississauga, near Sheridan Mall. Have you perhaps wondered who Bruce Reynolds was?
About 40 years ago and beyond, the park was called Oakridge Park and the subdivision surrounding it was known as Westport. I don’t think you’ll see either on a sign these days. Back in 1968, a family named Reynolds moved into the area. Their home backed on to Oakridge Park and the family patriarch, Bruce, seeing a couple of local kids getting into trouble, decided that a good way to keep them on the straight and narrow was to keep them busy in sports activities. Bruce got together some volunteers and some partners from the city and built an old fashioned outdoor hockey rink in the park. He signed up a bunch of kids from the neighbourhood, organized 4 teams with names commemorating the local streets and started what is known as the Oakridge Park Hockey League (OPHL).
My husband played a couple of seasons in the league when he was a boy. He remembers wearing the banana yellow jersey of the Portway Pirates (Portway is the street bordering the park on the east side) and going head to head against the Bunsden Bombers, the Mississauga Marauders and some other team who he thinks was the Flyers but he can’t remember what street they were named after (he’s old).
The OPHL is still going. As it always has been, it is run entirely by volunteers and charges no registration fee. Bruce poured his heart and soul into looking after the rink and the league. He conscripted all his buddies into helping run the league, officiate the games and look after the ice.
The games are played outdoors for as long as the weather permits, in snow and sun, rain and cold. Nowadays, most games are played on the artificial outdoor rink at Martingrove Park in Etobicoke but some games are still played as in the original league, outside on the naturally frozen ice in Bruce Reynolds park, until the edges of the rink are too thin to support any more skating for the season.
In 1989, Bruce Reynolds passed away after having dedicated 20 years of his life volunteering in his community to run the OPHL. The Mississauga Oakridge Ratepayers Association led the movement to have Oakridge Park renamed in Bruce’s honour and succeeded just before he passed away.
Bruce’s legacy was continued by his family and by the many volunteers who continue to keep the OPHL going strong. It recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and good old Hazel was there to drop the ceremonial puck for the kids. If you ever want to know what kind of an impact someone can have on a community, have a look at the guest book of the OPHL for comments from kids, parents and organizers. And then think about Bruce and his gang, the next time you visit the park.
For more info on life in Mississauga, please visit my website.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Briarwood Site Development
If you haven’t seen the proposals for redevelopment of the Briarwood site, please check out the information posted by the Town Of Port Credit Association (TOPCA) on their website.
Development is being proposed in a few stages starting with a new Shopper’s Drug Mart and Walk-In clinic where the car dealership used to be (the Shopper’s at Credit Landing would be relocated to here). After that, a BMO branch is also proposed.
There is an official reaction from the TOPCA and it is similar to my own thoughts. I love what has been done with the streetscape at Hwy 10 and Lakeshore with the new storefronts on the south side and the low rise condos behind. The appearance is modern and clean while still adding some useful density to the area. It has a feel similar to parts of Oakville and is a move in the right direction for the village.
I was hoping for something similar for the Briarwood site so that the whole village starts to feel connected from one end to the other. The Shopper’s and BMO are nice but they don’t go far enough in keeping with the vision of how the community should be developed. Let’s put some units on top of the stores and add in spaces for smaller niche marketers, upscale establishments, cafes and restaurants and keep what was started to the east going in the same direction in the west part of the village.
For more on Port Credit real estate issues check out my website.
Development is being proposed in a few stages starting with a new Shopper’s Drug Mart and Walk-In clinic where the car dealership used to be (the Shopper’s at Credit Landing would be relocated to here). After that, a BMO branch is also proposed.
There is an official reaction from the TOPCA and it is similar to my own thoughts. I love what has been done with the streetscape at Hwy 10 and Lakeshore with the new storefronts on the south side and the low rise condos behind. The appearance is modern and clean while still adding some useful density to the area. It has a feel similar to parts of Oakville and is a move in the right direction for the village.
I was hoping for something similar for the Briarwood site so that the whole village starts to feel connected from one end to the other. The Shopper’s and BMO are nice but they don’t go far enough in keeping with the vision of how the community should be developed. Let’s put some units on top of the stores and add in spaces for smaller niche marketers, upscale establishments, cafes and restaurants and keep what was started to the east going in the same direction in the west part of the village.
For more on Port Credit real estate issues check out my website.
Hockey Night In Mineola
A couple of weeks ago, a scene played out at Port Credit Arena that has likely been played out in similar fashion at hundreds of arenas across the country. A bunch of guys with bad knees (in this case including my husband) and day jobs grabbed their hockey gear and headed to the local rink for one of the last few pickup games of the season.
The groups are always a varied mix of talents and personalities. In the case of my husband’s gang, the skill levels range from guys who started playing the game in their adult years all the way through to a guy who played Junior B with Dwayne Roloson (of the Oilers). At some point in their lives all of these guys probably played some road hockey while assuming the personas of their hockey heroes and simultaneously providing the audible play by play of the sportscaster as they weaved down the asphalt to zip a tennis ball into the top corner of a ratty old net. Now however, they all have jobs and responsibilities. They’ve been through ups and downs. Some married. Some divorced. All have experienced some of the losses that are the inevitable part of life as well as the highs that make them forget.
But on this night it is “Hockey Night In Mineola”. My husband’s crew has gone so far as to probably violate a bunch of copyrights and have fashioned themselves a set of home and away jerseys modeled after CBC’s flagship program. On other rinks the teams sometimes do something similar. More frequently, the teams are split into “Whites” and “Darks” with a significant rainbow of colours being loosely attached to each side, helping to give an extra excuse for those errant passes that wind up on the other team’s sticks.
The time slots are the ones nobody wants. Sometimes the crack of dawn but more often the last slot of the evening after all the kids’ leagues are finished for the night. And if the rinky is a good guy (which they all are), the last slot of the night often means an extra few minutes of ice time beyond what was paid for (if the legs can stand it).
If it’s the last night of the season like this night for my husband, or similarly for the first night of a new season, the benches will be packed. In mid season, the numbers vary widely as real life intrudes or as couches seem to get more comfortable. But everyone gets out for the last night of the year.
And the battle is just as fierce as any NHL playoff game. Except there’s no black eyes. And no bloody lips or broken fingers from blocked shots. And no pulling the goalie when you’re down by one with a minute to go. Ok. So maybe it’s not that fierce. But hey, back checking is over rated anyway. And who wants to limp into the office the next day after taking a slapshot to the back of the knee. From the poorly contested opening face-off to the final buzzer, the pace ebbs and flows and more energy is poured into deriding someone’s latest gaff than into improving one’s own play.
And when the game ends, the night continues down at the local. For my husband’s group, its wings and nachos at the Harp and if someone remembers to dig out the mini makeshift Stanley cup from years gone by, all will get to hoist it since no one knows what the score was anyway (its always 9-8 but who’s counting). And when the evening ends and the last ones straggle home, the gear gets put away to rot for the summer while golf clubs are dug out of the crawl space and mowers are tuned up for the yard work to come.
Are you wondering since this is a real estate blog, what does this have to do with real estate? Well nothing. And everything. Because this is what it means to be in a neighbourhood. It establishes bonds and links that survive even after circumstances take us to new neighbourhoods. It extends beyond the rink and over into the donut shop and the grocery store. It extends into the school fundraisers and the local businesses. It connects us all.
Not that you’d hear the hockey guys say so though.
For more on great neighbourhoods, vist my website.
The groups are always a varied mix of talents and personalities. In the case of my husband’s gang, the skill levels range from guys who started playing the game in their adult years all the way through to a guy who played Junior B with Dwayne Roloson (of the Oilers). At some point in their lives all of these guys probably played some road hockey while assuming the personas of their hockey heroes and simultaneously providing the audible play by play of the sportscaster as they weaved down the asphalt to zip a tennis ball into the top corner of a ratty old net. Now however, they all have jobs and responsibilities. They’ve been through ups and downs. Some married. Some divorced. All have experienced some of the losses that are the inevitable part of life as well as the highs that make them forget.
But on this night it is “Hockey Night In Mineola”. My husband’s crew has gone so far as to probably violate a bunch of copyrights and have fashioned themselves a set of home and away jerseys modeled after CBC’s flagship program. On other rinks the teams sometimes do something similar. More frequently, the teams are split into “Whites” and “Darks” with a significant rainbow of colours being loosely attached to each side, helping to give an extra excuse for those errant passes that wind up on the other team’s sticks.
The time slots are the ones nobody wants. Sometimes the crack of dawn but more often the last slot of the evening after all the kids’ leagues are finished for the night. And if the rinky is a good guy (which they all are), the last slot of the night often means an extra few minutes of ice time beyond what was paid for (if the legs can stand it).
If it’s the last night of the season like this night for my husband, or similarly for the first night of a new season, the benches will be packed. In mid season, the numbers vary widely as real life intrudes or as couches seem to get more comfortable. But everyone gets out for the last night of the year.
And the battle is just as fierce as any NHL playoff game. Except there’s no black eyes. And no bloody lips or broken fingers from blocked shots. And no pulling the goalie when you’re down by one with a minute to go. Ok. So maybe it’s not that fierce. But hey, back checking is over rated anyway. And who wants to limp into the office the next day after taking a slapshot to the back of the knee. From the poorly contested opening face-off to the final buzzer, the pace ebbs and flows and more energy is poured into deriding someone’s latest gaff than into improving one’s own play.
And when the game ends, the night continues down at the local. For my husband’s group, its wings and nachos at the Harp and if someone remembers to dig out the mini makeshift Stanley cup from years gone by, all will get to hoist it since no one knows what the score was anyway (its always 9-8 but who’s counting). And when the evening ends and the last ones straggle home, the gear gets put away to rot for the summer while golf clubs are dug out of the crawl space and mowers are tuned up for the yard work to come.
Are you wondering since this is a real estate blog, what does this have to do with real estate? Well nothing. And everything. Because this is what it means to be in a neighbourhood. It establishes bonds and links that survive even after circumstances take us to new neighbourhoods. It extends beyond the rink and over into the donut shop and the grocery store. It extends into the school fundraisers and the local businesses. It connects us all.
Not that you’d hear the hockey guys say so though.
For more on great neighbourhoods, vist my website.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Port Credit Arena Renovations
My first reaction on hearing that the Port Credit Skating Arena was going to be renovated was admittedly one of sadness and regret. I’d skated there as a child and in my teen years I taught skating there. And over the last 10 years I’ve watched my sons play in dozens of hockey games there from my youngest skating on the Blue (beginner) shift in the Paperweights program on through up to my oldest, now 16 and 6 foot 2 inches tall, roughing it up with his buddies in the corners during Midget level games. And I’ve watched my daughter learn to skate there in the Port Credit Figure Skating Club including participating in her first on ice pageant, dressed in a darling little frontier girl outfit (which, having 3 older brothers, she naturally detested). With so many fond memories, it was hard to contemplate any changes at all to a wonderful, unique old facility like that.
But then I saw the plans and I have to admit that I like what is being proposed. The designs have kept the original structure intact but have modernized the interior and integrated a new entranceway, balcony and recreation rooms into the South West corner in such a way as to flow with the land elevation but not disturb the look of the building. The concession area has been moved to the West side of the rink and now provides a much better view of the action on the ice for people who like to keep warm in the enclosed area during games. The lobby is spacious and if the finishing remains true to the drawings, the interior will have a much more modern look with lots of extra light coming in to brighten what is admittedly a somewhat dark arena. I’m not so fond of the players’ benches having been moved in front of the main spectator seating area but at least the seating appears to have been designed to retain its unique charm. The old fold-up two-person seats with backs are distinct among the Mississauga arenas and it appears as if this attractive feature is being sustained and upgraded.
I love how they are keeping the historical design of a Port Credit landmark intact and yet are integrating an open-area modern feel to give the structure a new lease on life. I look forward to many more years of enjoyment in the arena.
More info on Port Credit Real Estate at KatePeterson.ca
But then I saw the plans and I have to admit that I like what is being proposed. The designs have kept the original structure intact but have modernized the interior and integrated a new entranceway, balcony and recreation rooms into the South West corner in such a way as to flow with the land elevation but not disturb the look of the building. The concession area has been moved to the West side of the rink and now provides a much better view of the action on the ice for people who like to keep warm in the enclosed area during games. The lobby is spacious and if the finishing remains true to the drawings, the interior will have a much more modern look with lots of extra light coming in to brighten what is admittedly a somewhat dark arena. I’m not so fond of the players’ benches having been moved in front of the main spectator seating area but at least the seating appears to have been designed to retain its unique charm. The old fold-up two-person seats with backs are distinct among the Mississauga arenas and it appears as if this attractive feature is being sustained and upgraded.
I love how they are keeping the historical design of a Port Credit landmark intact and yet are integrating an open-area modern feel to give the structure a new lease on life. I look forward to many more years of enjoyment in the arena.
More info on Port Credit Real Estate at KatePeterson.ca
Green Locations
The attraction of beautiful parks, mature trees, hiking trails, conservation areas and more make residents of South Mississauga feel very close to nature’s greenery. But the other aspect of the area that makes it “green” is the ready access to public transit options that allow local homeowners to leave their cars behind and help keep that natural feeling alive and well.
Residents of Mineola and Port Credit make good use of the Port Credit GO Transit station for their commute into the business district in downtown Toronto. And folks in Lorne Park, Clarkson and Rattray Marsh ensure that the Clarkson GO station is just as well utilized. Feeling good about taking transit is actually only part of the attraction of making use of the GO system. The other part is that it is simply a very good system that is convenient, clean and comfortable.
Home buyers recognize this and consistently mention proximity to the GO stations as a significant criterion impacting their home purchasing decisions. Living close enough to a GO station can even allow a family to forego the cost of an extra vehicle thus not only contributing to helping the environment but also assisting in keeping family expenses under control.
This has a positive impact on home values for properties situated within walking distance of the GO. While obviously not the only factor in determining prices, it nevertheless contributes to maintaining values since there is very little new development in South Mississauga near the GO stations. When the occasional new townhouse or condo in-fill is announced near a station, interest tends to be high, even during cyclical market downturns.
Yes, South Mississauga is a very “green” place to live.
Residents of Mineola and Port Credit make good use of the Port Credit GO Transit station for their commute into the business district in downtown Toronto. And folks in Lorne Park, Clarkson and Rattray Marsh ensure that the Clarkson GO station is just as well utilized. Feeling good about taking transit is actually only part of the attraction of making use of the GO system. The other part is that it is simply a very good system that is convenient, clean and comfortable.
Home buyers recognize this and consistently mention proximity to the GO stations as a significant criterion impacting their home purchasing decisions. Living close enough to a GO station can even allow a family to forego the cost of an extra vehicle thus not only contributing to helping the environment but also assisting in keeping family expenses under control.
This has a positive impact on home values for properties situated within walking distance of the GO. While obviously not the only factor in determining prices, it nevertheless contributes to maintaining values since there is very little new development in South Mississauga near the GO stations. When the occasional new townhouse or condo in-fill is announced near a station, interest tends to be high, even during cyclical market downturns.
Yes, South Mississauga is a very “green” place to live.
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