Sports hall of fame scores permanent location

By Michael Gorman

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

It looks like the Yarmouth Town and County Sports Hall of Fame has a new home and this time it's permanent.

The Hall's executive committee approved the purchase of a building on Main Street that will see it prominently featured and open year round. They hope to have possession of the location by the beginning of April.

The new location at 435 Main Street (across from the grocery store) means the museum will remain in the downtown area, something the group's president said was a must.

"Oh, we had to stay downtown," said Gloria Goodwin, adding that while there isn't as much storage space as their previous location, they give up nothing in terms of floor space.

The group was located in the front of Lovitt Plaza for the last two years but when their rent was increased they were forced to move. Since then all of their items and artifacts have been in storage. And while the initial thought was to find a new place to rent, the group eventually decided it made more sense to buy a location so as to ensure their stability.

Goodwin said the new location creates a museum triangle, of sorts, with the Firefighters Museum just a few doors down and the Sweeney Museum down one block on Water Street. She is hoping the three museums will find ways to work together on projects such as advertising and promotions.

The new building will need some work before it opens. Goodwin said they've applied to the province for funding to help them replace the roof. They also need to make a wheelchair accessible entrance and bathroom. Goodwin said she would like to see everything finished in time for the group's annual induction banquet in May.

"I would really like to be in there by May . . . so we can announce at the banquet 'come on, folks, we're in our spot and come visit.'"

The group hasn't put much effort into summer plans yet, said Goodwin. With their contents in storage they've been focused on acquiring a location.

As they start to set things up in the new location thoughts would turn to plans and programming for the summer, said Goodwin. They will again apply for summer funding to hire a student, she said, something that made a big difference last season.

"(The student) is such a tremendous help for us by doing all the computer work and (allowing) our location (to be) open all the time so people can drop in."