Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame facts for kids
The Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame is a special collection of markers found in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. This project is a team effort between the city and its Downtown Association. It celebrates people from Sault Ste. Marie or the Algoma District who have done amazing things for their community. It also honors those who have achieved great success in their jobs or hobbies. New people are added to the Walk of Fame every year.
Contents
How the Walk of Fame Started
The idea for the Walk of Fame began with a city law passed on September 9, 2002. This law created a "Walk of Fame Program." The city and the Downtown Association wanted to honor local people who had made big contributions. They also hoped the Walk would bring more tourists and shoppers to the downtown area.
A special committee was formed to choose the yearly honorees. This committee has eight members, including the mayor and city councilors. They decide who gets a spot on the Walk of Fame.
In 2003, people sent in names of possible honorees. The committee chose the first 10 people. The Walk of Fame officially opened on September 30, 2006. This happened during the grand opening of the Steelback Centre sports arena. (This arena is now called GFL Memorial Gardens.)
Changes to the Walk's Location
From 2006 until the mid-2010s, the Walk of Fame markers were in the sidewalk. They were on Queen Street, near the arena. But winter weather and snow plows damaged many of the stone markers.
In August 2015, the city decided to remove the damaged markers. They put them into storage. The city then looked for new ways to display the Walk of Fame. They thought about different ideas like vinyl signs or aluminum markers.
By 2017, a new plan was approved. New and old markers would be placed in clear display cases. These cases would be located around downtown. This new method helps protect the markers from weather. It also makes them easy to see all year. The restored Walk of Fame was revealed on December 7, 2017. Famous astronaut Roberta Bondar, one of the first honorees, helped with the unveiling.
Who Can Be Honored?
The city law that created the Walk of Fame also set rules for who can be honored. These rules have changed a little over time:
- The person must have been born in Sault Ste. Marie or the Algoma District. Or, they must have lived there for at least 12 months.
- They must have made a great contribution to the community over many years. Or, they must have achieved local, national, or international fame. This includes areas like science, sports, arts, business, or helping others.
- Anyone can suggest a name for the Walk of Fame. Nominations must be sent to the City Clerk's office by a certain date, usually March 31.
- The Walk of Fame Committee reviews all nominations. They choose who will be honored that year.
- In the first year (2006), up to 10 people could be honored.
- After the first year, up to 5 people could be honored until 2015. From 2018 onwards, only up to 2 people can be honored each year.
- No person or group can be honored more than once.
- The names of the new honorees are announced to the public, usually in late May or early June.
- The ceremonies to dedicate the markers are also open to everyone.
The Markers and Where to Find Them
Originally, each honoree had their name on a 16-inch granite stone square. Inside each square was a marble maple leaf with their name and the year they were inducted. These stones were placed in the sidewalk on Queen Street.
The restored Walk of Fame, unveiled in December 2017, uses display cabinets. These cabinets are in four places downtown:
- The GFL Memorial Gardens
- The Memorial Tower
- The Art Gallery of Algoma
- A small park at Queen and March Streets
Each cabinet holds marble leaves. Some are new, some are restored old ones. The cabinets are made of steel and have clear, strong covers called Lexan. This lets you see the markers easily. Each cabinet can hold up to 12 markers.
Honorees
Note: (P) means the person was honored after they passed away.
| Year of Induction | Honoree | Background |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Roberta Bondar | neurologist, astronaut, and the first Canadian woman in space |
| 2006 | Francis H. Clergue(P) | industrialist and visionary |
| 2006 | Ken Danby | artist |
| 2006 | Ron Francis | NHL player |
| 2006 | Joanie and Gary McGuffin | adventurers, conservationists, and authors |
| 2006 | Ted Nolan | NHL- and junior-level hockey coach |
| 2006 | Kevin Scott | world-record-setting speedskater |
| 2006 | Morley Torgov | author and humourist |
| 2006 | Treble Charger | recording artists |
| 2006 | Jessica Tuomela | Paralympic swimmer |
| 2007 | Phil Esposito | NHL player, executive, and Team Canada 1972 alumnus |
| 2007 | Tony Esposito | NHL player, executive, and Team Canada 1972 alumnus |
| 2007 | Harry Graham(P) | forester and academic |
| 2007 | John Rhodes(P) | broadcaster and politician |
| 2007 | Darren Zack | softball pitcher |
| 2008 | John Barker(P) | local union leader and driving force behind The Sault's Group Health Centre |
| 2008 | Angelo Bumbacco | junior hockey executive and co-founder of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds |
| 2008 | Joni Henson | lyric spinto soprano |
| 2008 | Dr. David Walde | oncologist, cancer treatment pioneer, and hospital fundraiser |
| 2009 | Doreen Hume | Coloratura Soprano soloist |
| 2009 | Edie Kerr(P) | organizer of many curling events, including the 1978 Macdonald Lassies Tournament and 1990 Labatt Brier |
| 2009 | Russ Ramsay(P) | broadcasting executive and MPP for Sault Ste. Marie |
| 2009 | MCpl Scott Vernelli(P) | served in Afghanistan with The Royal Canadian Regiment |
| 2010 | Eric Alessandrini | fundraiser and volunteer |
| 2010 | Dr. Peter Black | neurosurgeon |
| 2010 | Douglas Bradford | artist |
| 2010 | Jo Forman(P) | advocate of secondary school athletics |
| 2011 | Trixie Hardy | Dance instructor and theatrical producer |
| 2011 | Tanya Kim | Television personality (etalk) and philanthropist |
| 2011 | Walter Wallace(P) | Educator, member of the Canadian Forces (49th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA) and humanitarian |
| 2012 | Ross Mervyn | Retired steelworker and promoter of anti-drug education and causes |
| 2012 | Walter Newman(P) | Founder of the Boys Naval Brigade |
| 2012 | Brian Vallee(P) | Journalist (Sault Star, Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, The fifth estate) and author (Life with Billy) |
| 2012 | Tony Van Den Bosch | Social worker and pioneer in addiction treatment |
| 2013 | Sir William Hearst(P) | Attorney, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, and Premier of Ontario (1914-1919) |
| 2013 | Team Jacobs (Brad Jacobs, Ryan Fry, E. J. Harnden, Ryan Harnden) |
Competitive curlers (champions of the 2013 Tim Hortons Brier) |
| 2014 | Mac and BJ Marcoux | Paralympian alpine skiers |
| 2014 | Lester Pyette | Journalist/editor (Sault Daily Star, Calgary Sun, Toronto Sun, The London Free Press) and publishing executive (Sun Media) |
| 2015 | Helen Arvonen(P) | Author |
| 2015 | James W Curran(P) | Publisher of the Sault Star and founder of the Sault Rotary Community Day Parade |
| 2018 | Robert-Ralph Carmichael(P) | Artist and designer of the common loon image on the $1 Canadian coin |
| 2018 | Mae & Dr. Lou(P) Lukenda | Philanthropists (benefactors of educational, athletic, and medical causes) and entrepreneurs (majority owner of Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds) |
| 2019 | David Johnston | Academic and the 28th Governor General of Canada |
| 2019 | Sharon Johnston | Mental health advocate (wife of David Johnston) |
| 2019 | Sherry Walsh | Dancer and artistic director of the Sherry Walsh Academy of Dance Arts |
