Sport Orillia made a $10,000 donation to the City of Orillia Saturday at the Orillia Sports Hall of Fame gala at Casino Rama.
“We started the Hall of Fame four years ago and soon, we’re going to have a home at the new recreation centre,” said Martin di Sabatino, president of Sport Orillia. “We’re very excited to have a home where we can share the stories and pictures of all these great athletes and builders in what will be a fantastic facility for us and the city."
The money, to be matched by the city, will be used to purchase large, flat-screen monitors and other audio-visual equipment for the Hall of Fame Lounge in the facility being built on West Street. It is expected to be open early next year.
At Saturday night’s event, the Class of 2018 was inducted. As part of the festivities, members of the Sport Orillia board of directors presented a cheque to Coun. Ralph Cipolla, who attended the event on behalf of Mayor Steve Clarke, who was out of town.
“We are happy to be partners with Sport Orillia for the Hall of Fame Lounge which will be located in the upper floor of the new facility,” said Cipolla. “The Sports Hall of Fame will have a cutting-edge display that will be used to (tell the story) behind the great athletes and builders of our community.”