Doors Open more sporting than ever
Attention sports fans, here’s the pitch.
Waterloo Region is hosting its Doors Open event Sept. 19 with a theme “Play On! Sports Past, Present and Future.”
The widely popular provincial event of the Ontario Heritage Trust and involving 44 communities is marking the province’s sport heritage.
It explores the traditions, innovations, heroes and diversity of sport in Ontario while featuring community centres, sports fields, halls of fame and arenas.
Continuing until mid-October, the doors to historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, industrial areas, green buildings, heritage gardens and other interesting venues — many of which are rarely accessible — are open for free public viewing.
Ten of the 40 sites open for visiting in Waterloo Region, mostly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., have a sports theme, said publicist Jane Snyder.
As well, there are four interactive sports sites offering a chance to learn some basics, test your skills or pick up a little expert advice, she said.
Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to “experience a rare behind-the-scenes, up-close-and-personal tour of Waterloo Region’s premier historic sports and entertainment venue.”
There are visits to the Kitchener Rangers’ dressing room and Gibson’s Lounge, views from a luxury suite and the Rangers’ Hall of History.
The Galt Arena Gardens in Cambridge is said to be the oldest continually operating indoor hockey arena in existence.
With its limestone and brick facade, the original red fir ceiling spans the ice where there will be many artifacts on display and guided tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
HockeyTech Analytics: On-Ice Demonstrations will be at the University of Waterloo Columbia Icefield Arena at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
There will be 30-minute demonstrations where players will be tracked by a sensor array to gather data on speed, position, time-on-ice and more.
At Rockway Golf Course in Kitchener, visitors can pick up a club for putting and driving games at this 80-year-old, 18-hole, par-70 course designed by Stanley Thompson.
Playball Academy Canada in Kitchener is Waterloo Region’s first indoor baseball facility with a full-size infield, six batting cages, six dirt pitching mounds and a fully equipped gym.
Waterloo Tennis Club is open for visits from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the city’s oldest sporting club that is marking its 100th year. Visitors can pick up a racquet and join the club pro on a clay court.
Learn about the local sports scene through the ages at 3 p.m. at the Boathouse in Kitchener’s downtown Victoria Park. There will be stories and photos followed by a question-and-answer session.
Located on a scenic bend on the Nith River is the Ayr Lawn Bowling Club that’s virtually unchanged since its start 120 years ago.
Try your skills on the historic bowling green, visit the original clubhouse, browse vintage photographs and trophies, and breathe in the fresh country air, Snyder said.
The City of Waterloo Museum at Conestoga Mall has the exhibition: “Waterloo Park, Jewel of the City, 125th Anniversary” that includes many artifacts, images and stories related to sports heritage.
Other Doors Open sites in Kitchener include Polocorp, the former J. M. Schneider home built in 1878 and originally known as Buena Vista and the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine.
A architectural marvel is St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church in Kitchener built in 1994 and designed in the form of an ark.
“In 2011, nearly every inch of the walls and ceiling were decorated with magnificent, traditional, hand-painted frescoes and icons, telling the story of Christ in images.”
The iconostasis wall is adorned with icons and vigil lamps. Details: regionofwaterloo. ca/doorsopen Want to see more? The remaining Doors Open events for this season are Highlands East, Sept. 12, 13; Kawartha Lakes, Sept. 13; Haldimand County, Markham, Port Stanley-Sparta and Waterloo Region, Sept. 19; Brampton, Burlington, Grimsby, Mississauga, Muskoka Lakes, St. Marys and Wellington North, Sept. 26; Amherstburg, Halton Region, London and Oshawa, Sept. 26-27; Bradford West Gwillimbury, Pickering and Quinte West, Oct. 3; and St. Thomas, Oct. 17. doorsopenontario.on.ca