HAGERSVILLE—It has been over a year since Hagersville’s sports superfan Murray Johnson passed. In that time, the Friends of Murray Johnson committee (FOMJC) have been looking for an appropriate use for the approximately $45,000 raised to support Johnson.
The money was raised through a community fundraising effort to keep Johnson housed at Anson Place Care Centre in the hometown he loved. While some of the funds were used to cover his funeral expenses, the committee has decided to utilize the remaining funds for the installation of two new scoreboards and one new clock at the Hagersville Arena, one of Johnson’s favourite places.
FOMJC members Kelly Reicheld and Doug Hall spoke to Haldimand Council about the proposal at a recent meeting. Reicheld recalled how “a bunch of friends” came together to help Johnson stay in his apartment when “the local community responded to the call and we were able to contribute to his living situation, but unfortunately he passed sooner than anticipated.”
As a result of his passing, the committee formed to ensure that the funds would be used in a way that honoured Johnson and provided a legacy for him. Reicheld said it was community feedback that convinced the committee that the scoreboard project was the perfect way to achieve that goal.
The initial plan was to install one new scoreboard opposite the existing scoreboard, but a County staff report notes it was determined that retrofitting the 20-plus-year-old board to work in unison with the new one would require extensive work.
One of the new boards, to be placed where the old one is currently, has two slots that would typically be used for advertising, with the County receiving approximately $1,800 per year. One of the slots will be reserved for Tim Hortons, and the other for Johnson’s photo to be displayed, with Haldimand Council voting to waive that fee for the life of the scoreboard.
Reicheld explained Tim ortons’ automatic inclusion: “They were the contributors of the existing score clock from 20 years ago. This committee and the Murray Johnson project have received very generous support from Tim Hortons in Hagersville. We’d like that to be the same, to represent our acknowledgement to them and their support.”
As for Johnson’s spot on the board, the committee sees this as a fitting tribute to the man, his unwavering community involvement, and “and all of his happenings in Hagersville and the sporting community there.”
Councillor John Metcalfe recalled Johnson’s presence at Hagersville Flyers games back in the day: “He certainly was a staple around town at the baseball diamond and hockey arena.”
Councillor Dan Lawrence recalled Johnson constantly visiting his parents’ old sporting goods store.
“The park and arena were a second home for Murray. Most community members experienced some interaction with Murray there,” added Reichel.
The County will contribute 35% of the project’s cost, amounting to $15,580, utilizing funds from the Community Partnership Program capital reserve fund.
“Until the end of his life, he really was one of the faces of Hagersville, and of the community and Haldimand. I fully support what you’re doing,” concluded Lawrence. “I think he deserves something of that magnitude, that size. He was, in a lot of ways, the face of the Hagersville sports community.”
Council unanimously supported the project.
