Let Me Earn Your Business!
Canadian Blood Services BLOOD DONOR CLINIC
CHRIS BABKIRK
WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST FEB. 35
1-7 1-7 pm by PM appt only Leamington Lebanese Club Leamington 447 Hwy Hwy 77 447 77 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call 188-2-DONATE Visitorblood.ca to register visit blood.ca
390 Talbot St. N. Essex
519-776-6447
chrisbabkirk@kenknappford.com
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Southpoint Sun - 19
Twin pad arenas mark 20 years by C. Scott Holland It has been known by several names and yet Leamington’s twin-pad arena section of the Nature Fresh Recreation Complex remains a remarkable place two decades after its opening. Back in 1995, with the fitness complex part celebrating its 10th anniversary, thoughts of replacing the aging original Leamington Recreation and Agricultural Centre surfaced. Multiple problems concerning that first facility — including lack of ice time for some user groups — led to discussions beginning between town council, the recreation department and those user groups. By 1997 it was determined to build a new facility and it did not take long before the most obvious location — being attached to the existing complex
— was apparent. The local Kinsmen Club led the fundraising campaign, which, within a few years, would raise the town’s portion of the $14 million cost. The most amazing thing was the generosity of area citizens in donating towards its construction. Initial plans were unveiled and amended according to what the various user groups felt would make it a better place for them and all users. Three of the biggest user groups were the Leamington Jr. B Flyers, Southpoint Minor Hockey and the Leamington Figure Skating Club. All of them have reaped immense benefits and exposure through those twin pads. Of course, along the way, many local companies offered sponsorships and in more recent years, it has benefited from Dominos and Nature Fresh
Farms, who offered long term naming sponsorships along with Highbury Canco, Unico and the H.J. Heinz Co., who had the naming rights to the Olympic sized arena for nearly a decade and a half. Today, its beauty and cleanliness still astounds all visitors. The staff have taken great pride in making it an enjoyable experience and helping ensure it is safe. Some changes have been made since its opening but those are minimal. One of them was installing a handrail in one section to aid people with difficulties getting up and down from the main arena’s seating and a few other areas set aside specifically for handicap persons. During the last 20 years, the main arena has hosted some incredible hockey contests for championships as well as some
NHL Oldtimers contests, a circus, figure skating carnivals, concerts, special events and even this past year, was utilized
as a field hospital for COVID. This area has no regrets about it being built and it has definitely earned its high marks.
Here, the wall between the two rinks is constriucted, as viewed through the portholes in the upper floor weightroom in 1999. Photo courtesy of the Scott Holland Collection
Kris Manery once held scoring record at University of Michigan
By C. Scott Holland One of Leamington’s NHL alumni may not have had a long NHL career, but his prolific scoring in both junior and university hockey put his name into those record books. Kris Manery joined the ranks of the NHL with the newly formed Cleveland Barons in 1977-78. From there, his NHL career spanned several seasons and Manery as captain of the U of M team. several teams, including the Minnesota North Stars, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets. However, Kris is best remembered locally for being an important part of the Leamington Flyers in 1971-72 when he posted 35 goals and 54 assists in his rookie season and then in 1972-73 when he had 60 goals and 45 assists to lead all
Great Lakes Jr. C scorers. His Junior C hockey career led to a full-ride scholarship at the University of Michigan. Those four years enabled Kris to become the university men’s hockey team all-time leading goal scorer (at that time.) Today his total goals are still among the university’s top marks ever. As well, he became only the second U of M player to amass over 200 points in a career. In 1975-76 he was named the university team’s MVP. In 1976-77, Manery was named U of M’s captain and led the team to the NCAA finals, which was played at Olympia Stadium, but U of M lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the University of Wisconsin. He signed with the Cleveland Barons as a free agent in October 1977 and the Barons would play the LA Kings in their debut. His older brother, Randy, was a member of that Kings squad. After his NHL career ended, he played a season of CHL hockey with Tulsa and tabbed 54 goals and 35 assists for 89
points. Then he headed to Europe and played there from 1982 to 1984. After a short stint in 1984-85 with Birmingham (AHL), he retired from hockey. In 1979, Manery was a member of
Team Canada at the Izvestia International tourney held annually in Russia. Canada brought home the bronze medal. In 2008, he was inducted into the Windsor-Essex County Hall of Fame.
Kris Manery, right, meets with three of Leamington’s other NHL alumni in 1995. From left are Darren McCarty, Kirk Bowman, Pat Ribble and Manery. Photo courtesy of the Scott Holland Collection
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