Hometown heroes on display
Summerside business features local sports icons in display
A city business has decided to spruce up its walls with an homage to Summerside’s history and display its homegrown athletic heroes.
Mel’s Petro Canada on Granville Street recently unveiled the display during a small ceremony. Some of the people featured in the displays were present and family members or friends were there to represent some that were unable to be on hand.
One of those being honoured was former NHLer and Summerside native Errol Thomspon.
“It was a nice honour,” said Thompson, whose picture features him during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, 197071 to 1977-78.
“They’ve done an excellent job of it.”
The display also features English Channel swimmer Barbara McNeill, Royal Bank Cup champion 1997 Summerside Western Capitals, NHL coach Turk Gallant,
two-time Olympian Heather Moyse and the world junior champion Suzanne Burt (then Gaudet) curling rink.
Ryan Simmonds, site manager at Mel’s, said Friday that the business wanted to showcase its connection to the community
and, given Summerside’s reputation as a sports city, they thought creating a “Hometown Heroes” wall would be a good way to do that.
“It was something … that we wanted to do to be a part of the community and give back to
Summerside,” said Simmonds.
He also said that there is more space available on the store’s walls, and they may decide to expand their featured heroes after a few years.