Copy of the original opening night program courtesy of William Pinkney
When the Erindale Public School Choir, under the direction of school principal George Cowan, sang a selection of songs for the opening of the Dixie Arena Gardens, it ushered in a new era for skaters and hockey players in our area.
Two young members of the choir, 10 year old Mary Barker (now Wilkinson) and 12 year old Billy Green, sang Bless This House and what an insightful selection it was. Dixie Arena Gardens certainly was one of the most popular recreational facilities to be built in our community.
The official opening on December 16th, 1949 proved to be a gala affair with Col. Thomas L. Kennedy, MPP, who was then Minister of Agriculture. Newly elected Premier Leslie Frost was among the dignitaries. Thomas L. Kennedy served as Ontario’s interim Premier for one year after being appointed when then Premier George Drew lost his seat in a Provincial election in 1948.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Jack MacPherson and the Lorne Scots Brass Band, under the direction of W/O Perrott, performed.
Col. Kennedy introduced the Premier to open the evening’s ceremonies saying “ There is not one child within a radius of two miles who doesn’t own a $100.00 share in this rink. Who knows, someday a second Barbara Ann Scott may begin her career on this very ice.” The Premier responded by saying that the building of the arena was “The most amazing community venture in Ontario.”
Premier Frost was referring to the spectacular job of fund raising done almost single handedly by Leslie Pallett and the group known as the ‘Silver Seven”. The Capital Stock was authorized for the sale of cumulative redeemable preferred shares, par value $100 each and common shares at $100 each in the amount of $200,000. Estimates for the completion of the arena were set at $135,000.