Park could be named after Stillman
A Northcrest Ward park could soon be renamed in honour of two-time, consecutive Stanley Cup champion and city native Cory Stillman.
The arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee will discuss a request to rename Olympus Park as Stillman Park at its Tuesday meeting.
If approved, the staff-recommended change – which would still have to be endorsed by council – would cost about $600 to change the park sign.
That money would come from the already-approved park bench and sign capital budget, according to a report by recreation division co-ordinator Rob Anderson.
Stillman, who has coached the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Sudbury Wolves since last May, is also a co-owner of Firehouse Subs on Lansdowne Street West.
Steve Terry, who obtained permission to proceed with the proposal from the Stillman family, made the request in a March 21 letter to the city.
The Stillman family home, where he was raised, is located on adjacent Olympus Avenue and for many years throughout the 1970s, his family built and maintained the skating rink in the park bordered by Royal Drive.
It was there that he learned the basic skating and hockey skills that would eventually lead to a successful OHL career (19901993) with the Windsor Spitfires and Peterborough Petes before a 19-year National Hockey League career that ended in 2011, Terry wrote.
Stillman’s success – including cup wins in Tampa Bay in 2004 and Carolina in 2005 – brought recognition to his hometown.
After his career, he returned to Peterborough, where he continues to be supportive of youth sports, Terry stated.
He is now head coach of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves.
There is no significance to the park’s name, which stemmed from its proximity to Olympus Avenue, Terry wrote.
The city’s naming policy states that parks should be named after those who have contributed to public life and the well-being of the city.
Citizens who have received Peter Robinson Awards, Pathway of Fame or Sports Hall of Fame recognition can automatically be considered. Stillman was inducted into the Peterbororough and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, Terry noted.
City staff sought input from area residents to determine the level of neighbourhood support for the proposed change, Anderson wrote.
Some 111 notices were handdelivered March 9 to those within 120 metres of the park, providing background and inviting feedback.
Of the 15 responses received, 13 were highly supportive, one was completely opposed and another did not indicate a preference, Anderson wrote.
Comments in opposition pointed out that Stillman hasn’t lived near the park for years, that the move could create controversy among other notable athletes or people and that there is more to the community than the sport of hockey and its players, for example.
NOTES: Cory Stillman has three children with wife Mara – Madison, Chase and Riley, who signed an entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers early last month.… Stillman was a sixth overall pick of Calgary in 1992.… The arenas parks and recreation advisory committee meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium at City Hall.