A tribute to Coach Wynne

Bob Wynne came to today's open house at Ancaster High expecting to reunite with some old friends and share a few memories.

He was somewhat overwhelmed by the tribute presentation organized by the school's athletic department and some of his former players.

Bob has coached the senior boys basketball team for 35 years now. During that time, he's helped no fewer than 16 players move on to play university hoops.

And he's led the Royals to several championship wins.

Bob plans to retire in the coming years, but will continue coaching until 2012.

A Royal Welcome

There were about 300 on hand for the opening ceremonies and 2,000 are anticipated at tonight's pub night at Morgan Firestone Arena for the Ancaster High 50th anniversary.

Tomorrow, there's an alumni sports day and a special presentation in the afternoon.

Stay tuned for more updates.

New Fairgrounds have WOW factor

I took part in a media tour of the new Ancaster Fairgrounds today. Perhaps the most impressive feature is the 28,800 square-foot Maritt Hall that can be divided into three smaller rooms. There's also a new air-condited concession building, perfect for special event rentals. There's more room for livestock shows, educational displays and there's enough room to park about 5,000 cars.

The spacious Marritt Hall is definitely work a look. It has to be one of the biggest conference facilities in the Hamilton area and I'm sure it will attract a lot of interest. The natural stone columns in the design and metal roof are nice touches.

I'll be posting a slide show of the new fairgrounds in the coming days in our multimedia section at http://www.ancasternews.com/

Contact the fair office for rental inquiries at 905-648-6198.

Familiar faces reunite

This morning's golf tournament was a chance for many familiar faces to reunite. About 190 golfers came out to Flamborough Hills to kick off the 50th anniversary celebrations for Ancaster High School. Members of the powerhouse Ancaster Royals football teams of the early 70s were among those in attendance.

It was a homecoming of sorts for former football standouts Bob Frackleton, Rick Labenski, Bob Cameron and Bob Smye. Rick, Bob Cameron and Bob Smye also played together at Acadia.

It was a great day for golf.

Stay tuned for more updates...

Little League wins reprieve for 2010 Championships

Ancaster Little League has been awarded an extension until the end of June to secure financing for a new clubhouse for the 2010 Canadian Little League Championships.
At Monday’s Ancaster Community Committee meeting, Councillor Lloyd Ferguson said the extension will help the organizing committee raise the needed funds after their request for a Trillium grant was denied.
Ancaster Little League past president Mark Strongman has estimated the organizing committee needs about $150,000 to build forced waste water mains that would connect to the Spring Valley sanitary sewer system. The proposed clubhouse, which includes washrooms, can be built with the club’s existing revenues.
Although the 2010 tournament, set for August 4-12, can be staged with temporary clubhouse facilities, Mr. Ferguson said the city will do all it can help.“The city will make sure Hamilton is not embarrassed,” he said.
Mr. Ferguson also disputed a city staff report that stated the Little League Park redevelopment on Jerseyville Road is 95 per cent complete.
“Right now, it’s only 45 or 50 per cent complete,” he said.

Another name drop

Thanks to the anonymous poster who pointed out former Tiger-Cat linebacker Mike Robinson also went to Ancaster High. Does anyone know what he's up to these days? I was only 9 when the Tiger-Cats won the cup in '86, but my dad still has that game somewhere on a VHS tape and I've watched it several times. I can't find any information for Mike Robinson on the Tiger-Cats website (his profile is blank) and he doesn't have a Wikipedia page. The Tiger-Cats site shows that he played from 1986 to 1988 and that sounds right.

Wouldn't it be nice if their defence was as tough now as it was then? Now that was a defence that struck fear in their opponents. Then again, I met current defensive tackle Darrell Adams at last month's Cops and Cats game and he looked pretty tough to me.

I'm not sure if Mike is on the Ancaster High sports wall of fame. Can anyone confirm that?

Royal Lion ready to roar

Ancaster High alumnus Dan Black, who now acts as Pigskin Pete for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, will be on hand next weekend for the 50th anniversary of Ancaster High School. Dan, who has also served as Stripes and Hamilton Bulldog mascot Bruiser, dropped by the school recently to meet with students who will be helping out at the reunion. The school has just acquired a new lion costume thanks to the school council and it will be unveiled during the reunion weekend, May 8-10.

Thanks to Joan Millard for the photos.