An important park opened in North Perth recently honouring lives lost in a tragedy that shook the town more than six decades ago.
Listowel’s Memorial Arena Park ’59, or ‘MAP ’59’ for short, has officially opened and the commemorative space honours lives lost in the tragic collapse of the Listowel Arena.
On Feb. 28, 1959, the roof and walls of the arena collapsed, claiming the lives of seven young hockey players and one adult coach.
The arena was eventually rebuilt but closed in 2017 following the construction of the town’s new hockey hotspot, the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex.
The old arena building was demolished in 2021 and plans to put a memorial park on the lot became a reality with the help of the volunteer MAP ’59 Committee.
The community raised more than $850,000 to bring this park to life and it features bronze skate sculptures.
Jeff Newell, manager of facilities for North Perth, said the opening ceremony was well attended with a couple hundred people showing their support and the project couldn’t have been made possible without volunteers.
He also noted the significance of the event in Listowel’s history and the difference the park will make.
“It’s an important piece of our community for people to reflect, but then also participate in a way that is beneficial to them and the rest of the community moving forward,” said Newell.
The municipality says the park serves as a “lasting tribute to the victims, their families, and the resilience of our community in the face of adversity”.
