NewsNow E-Edition February 13 2025 by newsnow Niagara

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Jordan Lions Arena marks 50 years on ice

By Joanne McDonald For NewsNow

For half a century, the Jordan Lions Arena has been a place where families have gathered to play and forge relationships that strengthen the community. And, it’s been said, to skate on the best ice in Niagara.

Saturday marked the arena’s 50th anniversary, a celebration to thank the Jordan Lions Club for helping get the facility built and the countless volunteers who have dedicated their time and expertise through the years.

“This facility has been a cornerstone of our community, bringing us together for sports, recreation and countless cherished memories,” said Lincoln Coun. and longtime hockey coach Mike Mikolic.

Young hockey player Jacob Tawil said it best.

“It’s been over 1,000, three-minute trips down to this barn which has literally been my second home for my entire childhood,” Jacob said in a note that was read by his very proud dad, Hany.

“This arena has always been the place I can go where every other issue in life just disappears.”

Jacob said there aren’t enough words to thank the coaches and teammates for 14 awesome years.

“I can promise you there’s no stronger feeling of family than I have with these guys,” Jacob wrote.

Looking back on the arena’s rich history, “we look forward to the continued impact it will have on future generations,” added Mikolic.

See ARENA Page 6

Former professional figure skater and longtime coach Judy Troup (second from left) shared treasured memories with some of her original students (L-R) daughter Kim Troup, Paula Keon MacDonald and Sue-Ann Staff at Jordan Lions Arena’s 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday. McDonald – Photo

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Tariffs hot topic at Lincoln Chamber breakfast

Canada does need to do a better job on border security, Niagara West MP Dean Allison told those on hand for Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s Politicians’ Breakfast last Friday. Feb. 10.

“We scan probably less than 1 per cent of containers (coming in on ships) in this country,” Allison cited as one area where there is room for improvement,” said Allison.

Border security is one area which U.S. President Donald Trump linked to his push for 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, which is now pending.

Tariffs was the hot topic at the meeting.

“I will give credit to the federal government.

They have put some monies into the areas Dean was talking about,” said Reg. Coun. Rob Foster. “The reality is, I think we’re doing a lot of the right stuff.”

“The fact we are not spending our two per cent of GDP on defence is another area that I find absolutely impossible. Who do we think we are?” Mayor Sandra Easton asked rhetorically.

“We are a sovereign nation that seems to be looking for other people to look after our interests. Yes, Mr. Trump is a pain in the butt. There’s no question about it, but what an embarrassment that someone else has to tell us where our important issues are.”

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On the dais for Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s Politicians’ Breakfast were Lincoln Reg. Coun. Rob Foster, moderator Dave Brown, Mayor Sandra Easton and Niagara West MP Dean Allison. Williscraft - Photo

With a provincial election nearing, an all-candidates meeting for Niagara West hopefuls has been planned at West Niagara Secondary School on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Lincoln, West Lincoln and Grimsby Chambers of Commerce will host the event. Doors will open at WNSS at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting

set to start at 7 p.m.

Official candidates so far include, incumbent Conservative Party of Ontario Sam Oosterhoff; Ontario Liberal Party’s Shauna Boyle; New Democratic Party nominee Dave Augustyn, and Green Party of Ontario candidate Mark Harrison.

The election is set for Feb. 27.

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ARENA

From Page 1

“Growing up and raising my family in the area, I think about the countless memories just my family has had here.”

LIONS GOT IT DONE

It was in 1972 the Jordan Lions went to Lincoln Council to ask for support to build an arena in the east end of town. There was not a lot of support as Centennial Arena was already in Beamsville. However, the Lions, true to their motto, “We Serve” got it done.

Club president Ray Dykstra said the building project was a combined Lions and community effort.

At a 1973 meeting between the council and the Jordan Arena Steering Committee, they compared the bid tender quotes ranging from $9.61 to $10.32 per square

foot. The new arena was built and opened in the fall of 1974 at a cost of just over $278,000.

The Lions have a long history of service to the area since the club started in 1948.

From Santa Claus parades to snowmobile races, building baseball diamonds, soccer pitches, and the Jordan park, pool and arena, the Jordan Lions - through decades of volunteering - have been the glue that has connected the community and made it a great place to live and raise a family.

MAYOR’S MEDAL

Longtime Jordan Skating Club volunteer Marlene Pinder was presented with the Mayor’s Medal a civic recognition for special achievements and contributions to the community.

Pinder, who first

came to the club with her own children 38 years ago, has since done everything but drive the Zamboni.

“Through her more than 30 years on the Board at the club she has always put the skaters first,” Lincoln Coun. Tony Brunet said, presenting the medal for Mayor Sandra Easton who was unable to attend the event.

“The dedication she has shown supporting all of the skaters and their families which have come through the Jordan Skating Club for the last 30 years is beyond admirable,” Brunet said.

Pinder said the club has about 300 members and is doing well. She said two of the coaches, Leslie Proctor-Foster and LeaAnne Andrusiw are daughters of founding family members.

PROFESSIONAL COACHING

Former professional skater and coach Judy Troup said the arena was newly opened when she stopped by to give some advice only to soon find herself in charge of the figure skating club.

She had help navigating the process to join the national figure skating association from St. Catharines skating coach Jean Newman.

“Everything moved along smoothly and the competitors did really well,” Troup said, crediting extraordinarily good Zamboni drivers, “for the best ice surface in Niagara.”

(Above) Nothing smells sweeter than a bunch of hockey bags to young player Domenico Cantoni, 7, with Craig Lindley, president of the Jordan Lions Minor Hockey Association.

McDonald Photos (Left) Longtime Jordan Lions Minor Hockey Association coach and Lincoln Coun. Mike Mikolic was presented with a commemorative jersey.

This trio - (L-R) Jordan Lion and former Lincoln mayor Ray Konkle; Jordan Lions Minor Hockey Association director Ana Cantoni, and; Lions president Ray Dykstra - put in countless hours preparing for the 50th Anniversary celebration Saturday.

Participating in the 50th Anniversary puck drop were: (L-R) Jordan Lions Minor Hockey Association president Craig Lindley; Jordan Lions Club president Ray Dykstra; Lincoln Coun. and longtime hockey coach Mike Mikolic; and hockey players Francesco Cantoni, left and Sebastian Verheij.

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Rough ride for regional transit officials at Grimsby council

By MIke Williscraft NewsNow

An $80 cost per ride was a tough pill for Grimsby council to swallow Monday night.

Grimsby was the lastest stop on the Niagara Regional Transit (NRT) tour by NRT manager Carla Stout. Stout is making the rounds across Niagara to highlight the input process for the current Master Plan review process as the service seeks to develop a new strategy for the future.

Stout outlined all the basics of the service - $3 fares for intra-municipal rides and $6 for inter-municipal - and more.

She noted a new pricing structure is on the horizon for July 1, however.

A ride within a municipality will rise to $3.50 while a ride crossing municipal boundaries will drop from $6 to the same, single $3.50 fare.

Stout also noted there are special passes for those on Ontario Works and disability.

As well, Stout said the micro-transit component of the service - which serves special needs residents - is only four per cent of ridership, but 17 per cent of the cost.

All this adds up to a cost of $14.66 per month per Grimsby household or $2.15 million annually.

With councils across Niagara voting in favour of implementing the transit program in 2020, the service is now established after five years and is using the Master Plan process to map out the future.

“We do want your feedback, not only the public’s feedback but also council’s feedback because the survey is online,” said Stout.

The online survey can be accessed at: nrtransit.ca

That was all well and good in terms of an overall statement of affairs, but council was not pleased with the results noted.

After Coun. Nick DiFlavio asked Stout about why costs were so high, she explained that Grimsby had opted into the microtransit feature on

top of the regularly planned transit service.

Conventional trips accounted for 25,200 rides in Grimsby, while the “specialized” rides came in at 1,300.

“That’s $80 per trip. Is that an efficient use of taxpayers’ money?” DiFlavio asked.

Stout could not give a definitive answer, essentially turning the question back to council and the system user.

“Those are specialized trips that is to provide coverage people who could be otherwise shut in their homes or have no access either to employment, education, health care. Whether that is a sustainable level of affordability for councils or for this council, what are those trips worth for those folks who are making those trips?” said Stout.

“If it’s $80 worth of subsidy per trip in the Town of Grimsby, I guess it depends on who you ask.”

DiFlavio said it may make more sense to subsidize Uber or Lyft rides - an idea vetted back in 2020 before the current system was approved.

“We’re not even approaching reasonable in the price. I want to subsidize people’s rides. I want to provide people with reliable transit. I want the Town of Grimsby to step up and do something about it but I don’t think that what we’re doing is that,” said DiFlavio.

Coun. Veronica Charrois asked why different municipalities have different costs assessed.

“When it comes to local service, which is what your share of the micro-transit contract is, it’s based on service hours based on ridership in your community. You may have higher cost or lower cost depending on how many residents access the service,” said Stout.

Coun. Lianne Vardy said regional transit is something that maybe is not affordable.

“People are rational. They’re willing not to have everything if everything is going to cost so much,” said Vardy.

The online survey is active to Feb. 14.

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Key infrastructure, events part of 2025 horizon: Mayor Jordan

(Editor’s Note: Mayors of Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln were asked to offer an outlook on 2025 for their respective communities. This is the final installment.)

By Mayor Jeff Jordan

I am filled with excitement and optimism about the opportunities ahead for the Town of Grimsby and I believe that by working together, we can continue shaping a brighter, more vibrant future for our community in 2025.

Town staff and council recently attended the 2025 Rural Ontario Munic-

ipal Association (ROMA) Conference, advocating on behalf of Grimsby.

Recognizing the long wait for the GO Station project, we pressed the Province for a timeline commitment and, as such, we are proud to announce that the Ontario government is moving ahead with plans for the Grimsby GO Station.

We don’t have many details yet, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted as new information becomes available. Know that the Town of Grimsby is committed to creating a transit-oriented commu-

nity and with the help of the province and collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, we can achieve this vision.

Regarding healthcare, the new hospital is on track for substantial completion this year, with services transitioning into the new facility. We know this has been a longawaited project and I’m excited for all the benefits it will bring to our community.

The Peach King Centre expansion is expected to be complete toward the end of the year and once open, it will become a community hub featuring an indoor walking track, double gymnasium, fitness areas, and multi-purpose rooms. This will provide a fantastic space for the community to gather and stay active.

Community engagement remains a priority as the Official Plan Review progresses. Residents will have opportunities later this year to review the draft plan and share their thoughts on Grimsby’s future.

Additionally, the Grimsby Heritage Property Grant, recently passed by Council, will continue supporting the preservation of our Town’s historic charm.

As part of the Downtown Reimagined Project, infrastructure improvements are planned and will include the replacement of the downtown cast iron watermain, originally installed in the 1950s. This project will not only modernize the infrastructure but transform the streetscape with improved landscaping, furni-

ture, and lighting. You can expect construction to begin this fall, with most work scheduled for 2026. Grimsby’s calendar is packed with events that showcase our vibrant community. Highlights include the Mayor’s Business Breakfast on Feb. 27, offering networking opportunities and updates on Town initiatives. Planning for the Mayor’s Golf Tournament are underway with the event scheduled in summer. The Active Living Fair on March 7 at Mountainview Church will provide resources for adults 55+ to support a healthy lifestyle.

In September, the International Plowing Match at the West Niagara Fair Grounds will draw visitors from near and far. Residents can also look forward to cherished annual

events such as Happening in Grimsby, Movie and Music Nights in the Park, Community Safety Day, Moonlight Market, Grimsby Glows, the Christmas Parade, Town Tree Lighting, and New Year’s Eve Skate. Grimsby Art Gallery celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. We welcome the GLaM GALA returning for its third year on Oct. 3.

Stay updated by following the Town on social and subscribing to news updates on Grimsby.ca. Lastly, Council meetings are open to the public, with schedules and agendas available online. As we welcome 2025, I am confident our best days are ahead. Together, we will continue to grow, innovate, and build a community we are all proud to call home.

NRP warn of ATM scam

The Niagara Regional Police Service are warning the public about a fraud involving distraction thefts at bank machines.

The method involves scammers diverting a bank customer’s attention to steal their bank card while they are using an ATM.

The incident typically unfolds when a suspect approaches the victim at an ATM, claiming they have dropped a $5 bill on the ground nearby. As the victim is distracted by the suspect, another suspect quickly swaps out the victim’s bank card with a counterfeit or blank card. The victim remains unaware of the theft until it is too late.

Key Tips to avoid falling victim:

• Stay aware of your surroundings: Be mindful of anyone who is too close to you while using an ATM or public banking machine.

• Check the machine: Ensure

that your card is properly inserted and not swapped with another.

• Be cautious of unsolicited assistance: Don’t let anyone distract you when at the ATM, and avoid accepting offers of help unless you are certain it’s from a legitimate source.

• Report suspicious behavior: If you notice anything unusual or feel uncomfortable at an ATM, immediately contact local authorities.

Anyone with information or anyone who has been targeted or witnessed similar behavior is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-6884111, option 3, ext. 1022200.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

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OBITUARIES

laba, Verna

lt is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother (Baba), who peacefully left us in her 94th year.

The spirit of our amazing, beautiful, graceful, gentle, and selfless mom is now reunited with our dad, Mike (1992), and our dear brother, Terry (2006). She will be deeply missed by her son Gene, daughters Donna, Kelly, and Cindy, along with their spouses, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Our mom was incredibly close to all of us, and her greatest joy was simply to watch and listen with pride and unconditional love. As we reminisce about her life, we realize she was a true angel whose smile warmed everyone’s heart.

Baba loved music, gardening, and cooking for her family. Her yearly trips to Disney were a highlight of her life, and she cherished her weekly drives in the country, which often included picnics. Baba, your life was a blessing. Memories of you will be treasured forever. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

We look up and thank God every time we think of you and how blessed we were to have you as our mom.

You are amazing! You are one of a kind!

Goodbye is not forever. Goodbye is not the end. It simply means we’ll miss you until we meet again.

1, 2, 3, Goooooood Niiiiiiiiight.

In memory of Verna and her love of gardening, please plant a tree in her honor. Verna is being cremated, and her family will celebrate her life privately.

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First full year for Wolfpack’s athletics gets good results

By Greg Parker For NewsNow

A lot of new things have rolled out in West Niagara Secondary School’s first full year at its new location.

The Wolfpack’s sports teams have been enjoying considerable success.

The varsity girls field hockey squad had a spectacular year, finishing first in their regular season division with a record of six wins and zero losses, outscoring their opponents 24-1. After downing Laura Secord 8-0 in the semi-final, they lost a heartbreaking playoff final to Eden, 1-0, ending their undefeated season.

The junior boys football team finished in second place with a 3-1 record, outscoring their opponents 8868. A semi-final victory over Sir Winston Churchill 22-6 led them to the playoff final where they lost to the powerhouse squad from A.N. Myer, 41-6.

Senior boys football saw the regular season end with a 1-3 record, winning their final game 19-16 before bowing to A N Myer in the playoff. Among the seniors, Adam Skeldon, Sean Northcott, Hayden Howard, Jacob Shaver, and Kieran McDonald were rewarded by being named League Allstars.

The junior girls volleyball team sits at 3-5 with one more scheduled match. High scoring Reese Bolibruck led the senior girls volleyball team, along with Coco Van Nynatten, who will enjoy a full ride athletic scholarship to the University of Massachusetts next year. The junior boys basketball team ended in December with a 66-62 victory over the A.N. Myer School and now sits 4-2 on the season. Standout performances by grade 9ers Jad Naser, Jeevat Bhatt and Sam Garbes, and grade 10 members Charlie Kingston, Kai Robert, Ayden Alexander, and Ryan Hicks make them very competitive on the court and exciting to watch.

The senior boys basketball team also sits at 4-2 but includes

a huge 81-42 drubbing of E.L. Crossley. Led by Julian Sobota, Christian Kyslytsya, and Scott D’Cunha, the team looks to repeat as Zone 4 champions.

In junior girls basketball, West Niagara led the zone with an 11-1 season, averaging 38 points per game. Unfortunately, that average came up just short as they suffered a tightly played 4038 playoff final loss to Eden.

In the fall, 32 students took on the cross-country competition with 28 qualifying to the SOSSA meet. Moving on to OFSSA were four with novice runner Samuel Garbes finishing in the Top 30.

Congratulations also go out to West Niagara’s Matthew

nis for qualifying to compete in the SOSSA championship.

Curling, a precision sport, saw the varsity boys - led by skip Mackenzie Weber - stand with a division-leading 3-2 record with one more draw pending. The varsity girls foursome, skipped by Taylor Smith, currently carries a 3-1 record.

Congratulations to all the athletes at West Niagara, completing their final games of the first semester. Keep an eye on the Spring athletics, including badminton, baseball, field lacrosse, rugby, soccer, and track and field events.

Next breakfast Sunday, Feb 16

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A classic

Jordan Hockey Club circa 1932 - a classic. Front: (L to R) Ross Hannigan, Audrey (Jake) Hannigan. Middle: Arthur Corbett, Hyman Shanker, Leo Fretz, Claude High. Back: Russel Jones, Merle Rubel, Howard Cunningham, and Frank Markey.

Now, the High name certainly is recognizable today as one of the foundation families of the area. Any relatives of this bunch still in the community?

Photos like this, which hang in most small town arenas across the country are a snapshot in time. They not only depict the fashion of the day - both uniforms and equipment - but these fellas are among those who formed the foundation for what we all enjoy today.

Arenas more than ice surfaces

Let’s talk arenas.

Obviously, Jordan Lions Arena reached a big milestone with its 50th anniversary last Saturday.

And before I go a step further, I wanted to give credit where credit is due for that facility. Ray Konkle, who many know as Lincoln’s long-time mayor, but more recently a stalwart of community history, made sure we were aware of Dick Catterall’s contribution. Ray noted it was Dick’s idea to build an arena - first discussed and mapped out during a discussion in his living room. Dick died in 2020, but Ray wanted to ensure the community was aware of his contribution.

Duly noted, Ray.

Now, arenas are far more than ice surfaces - even back in my day growing up in Clinton in the 70s.

Now they are something quite ridiculous. Every conceivable bell and whistle seems to exist within arena walls and - if they don’t - a “we’re not keeping up with the Joneses” mentality takes over.

It’s gone from what people want - in virtually all communities - to what people expect.

The key is, no matter what amenity is in an arena, it is what the community makes of the place that determines its viability and success rate in helping a community come together.

Let’s take West Lincoln’s new community centre as an example.

I have heard in recent years many say they won’t set foot in the place because they believe the entire project to be a significantly overpriced boondoggle.

It definitely was overpriced and more than the community could afford, but it is only a boondoggle if the community sets it up to be.

There are lots of great great features and ways to build on the facility as a cornerstone of what Smithville and West Lincoln will become. Think 50 years down the road on that one - all the memories, kids growing up, receptions and parties, fundraisers, practices, bruises and victories.

The boondoggle will be gone and people will be exceptionally happy to have the place.

My hometown arena was like most from the day; bare cinderblock walls, simple lobby, one

hall above the lobby, four tiny change rooms. That’s it.

But it was a weekly source of adventure - if not for my own games and practices, for Friday nights at the Clinton Mustangs games. I can still recite 90 per cent of the starting line-up from their championship years.

My buddies and I would bet 25 cents, choosing who would score goals on a given night. This was quite likely the first hockey pool ever... of sorts. When pop was 25 cents and a bag of chips was a dime, that was a lotespecially if you have four or fives guys anteing up a quarter after a goal.

If the game wasn’t good, there was always a rousing game of “boot hockey” down in the far corner using a pop can as a puck. It was also interesting that the crew kept an old steel barrel on wheelslike a wheelbarrow - down in the corner. It also had a welded bar with a ratty old towel across the bottom. This was the original “Zamboni”. They would fill the barrel with hot water and wheel this thing around to flood the ice. It was there, in the corner, my entire childhood. Never saw it used. Legend. That is just a silly aside, but an example of what kids will remember later in life. Their arena is their fishbowl; their proving ground. They will remember every detail. I did.

MIKE WILLISCRAFT

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Lincoln council laments regional transit costs

By Evan Loree For NewsNow

Lincoln councillors hammered representatives of the Niagara Transit Commission with questions at their Feb. 3 meeting.

After commission general manager Carla Stout and corporate manager Jordan Hambleton presented updates on the goings-on of the transit commission, councillors peppered them with tough questions.

Couns. Adam Russell and Mike Mikolic expressed buyers’ remorse after voting to opt into Niagara Regional Transit’s microtransit services in 2020.

Microtransit rides make up about four per cent of Niagara Regional Transit’s trips, but cost about 17 per cent of the commission’s budget, Stout said.

The service provides shared on-demand rides to residents who book their trips ahead of time through the Niagara Regional Transit app.

“Unfortunately, I do regret my decision of voting for it every year,” Russell said.

Based on ridership data from 2023, Russell estimated only one per cent of the town was using the system, but 100 per cent pay for it.

Stout said the cost to Lincoln households is about $13.92 per month or $167 per year.

Mikolic said he was unable to schedule a ride with the region’s NRT Plus app because of high demand.

“What should a resident expect? This is costing us a fortune,” he said.

Stout said the commission is currently operating at the limit of its contracted services.

“Your experience, unfortunately, is not unique,” Stout said.

Residents across Niagara are sharing 37 on-demand vehicles and the service is at capacity, she added.

Mikolic said he was worried when he voted to opt into the commission’s services in 2020 that the costs would balloon as service demands took off.

“You were worried about ‘what if this takes off?’ It did. That’s what happened, it did. It took off,” Stout said.

Coun. J.D. Pachereva, who represents Lincoln on the Commission’s board, spoke in favour of the region’s transit service, which he said is delivering higher ridership rates and is better servicing rural areas than the previous uLinc transit service.

The commission is currently developing a new master transit plan which will, in some capacity, expand regularly scheduled bus services to Lincoln.

The commission is taking feedback from residents on the options for that plan through an online survey available at the top of the commission’s home webpage at: nrtransit.ca