Parking their names here
Paralympians Mark Arendz and Billy Bridges receive legacies honouring their achievements Tuesday in Charlottetown
Mark Arendz and Billy Bridges have the Paralympics down pat, and now they’re reaping the rewards.
Hartsville’s Arendz reached the podium in all of his para Nordic skiing events at the recent Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, including winning gold in the 15-kilometre biathlon, taking silvers in the 7.5K biathlon and the mixed relay and earning bronze medals in the 12.5K biathlon, 1.5K cross-country sprint and 10K cross-country. He was also Canada’s flagbearer in the closing ceremonies. Meanwhile Bridges, a Summerside native, took home silver after a tough 2-1 loss in overtime to the Americans in the para ice hockey gold medal match. Bridges had Canada’s goal, one of six goals the 33-year-old scored in the event. Both were celebrated for their athletic feats Tuesday in Charlottetown, culminating with the announcement that each is having parks named for them.
The new, fully accessible Billy Bridges Park in Summerside will see Norte Dame Park expanded, renamed and ready for Bridges’ visit slated for July. Meanwhile, the Brookvale Provincial Park now becomes the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park.
It’s heady stuff for two humble athletes, and the honour announced by Premier Wade MacLauchlan wasn’t lost on them.
“That’s hard to (imagine), it’s still so fresh on my mind. It’s always been a home to me, and now it’s going to be different,” Arendz said. “It’s such a tremendous honour. It shows anyone can achieve anything coming from the smallest province in Canada.”
For Bridges,
it addresses his concerns as a father who spends much of his time in a wheelchair.
“With my two-year-old daughter, she’s rambunctious, she’s (here and there), you realize the difficulties of being in a wheelchair. (It’s fantastic) to be able to have a park to use where we can run around and play hide and seek and do all the things I like to do,” said Bridges. Over 100 people attended the event, and most lined up afterwards for autographs and pictures with the athletes. Arendz and Bridges also gave short talks after presentations given to them by Sport P.E.I., Parasport P.E.I., Hockey P.E.I. and Biathlon P.E.I.
One of those listening was 10-year-old Hudson Haltli. He’s from New Haven, a biathloner like Arendz and in the introductory Biathlon Bear program at the now newly-named park in Brookvale.
For Haltli, who hefted one of Arendz’ six medals, Arendz is a true role model.
“I had a picture taken with Mark a few days ago and I wanted hear his speech. I think he really helps me move forward and be more competitive,” Haltli said. “The medal was awesome, it’s surprisingly heavy.” Jen McWilliams of Stratford grew up near Arendz in Breadalbane, knew of the accident when Arendz was seven that took most of his left arm and has kept tabs on him since. Over the past few years, she’s added Bridges to her tab-keeping. “Having an Islander (like Bridges) on the para hockey team sparked that interest in what they do with their disabilities. It’s amazing. The level they compete at is impressive, much better than I could do,” said a smiling McWilliams after her autograph and picture session with the pair.
As for Arendz and Bridges, there are a few weeks off before returning to training.
Bridges returns to Toronto to begin the next Olympic cycle, and Arendz heads to Canmore, Alta., to prep for the new season in May and the world championships next year in Prince George, B.C.
“That’s the highlight and goal for the year,” he said.
Arendz, 28, has a total Paralympics medal haul of eight gained over three Games, while Bridges sports a medal in each colour, including gold in 2006 in Torino, Italy, over his five Paralympic appearances.