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David Menary, a writer from Cambridge, has just released a book about Canada’s longest-running arena.
The Galt Arena Gardens has been part of the community here for over a century. Menary spent five years digging into its past and the many hockey greats who played there, like Normie Himes, Bobby Hull, and Gordie Howe.
Menary chatted with CBC Radio’s The Morning Edition host Craig Norris about his book titled100 Years of Galt Arena Gardens, A History of the Most Storied Arena in the World.
WATCH | New book explores history of Galt Arena Gardens:
New book explores history of Galt Arena Gardens
A new book shines a light on one of Canada’s oldest arenas still in use. The Galt Arena Gardens has been part of this area for more than 100 years. Local author David Menary spent half a decade exploring its history and the famous players who skated there, including Normie Himes and Gordie Howe. Menary spoke with CBC K-W’s Aastha Shetty about his new release,100 Years of Galt Arena Gardens: The Most Storied Arena in the World.
You can listen to this interview at the bottom of this page. It’s been trimmed down for clarity and length.
Craig Norris: Why did you want to look into the history of the Galt Arena Gardens?
David Menary: Years ago, I was asked by a committee preparing for the arena’s 100th anniversary to write this book. That got me started-this was before COVID hit.
I also dug up old notes from my days as a sportswriter when I’d interviewed people like Gordie Howe and Marty Pavelich along with speed skaters and figure skaters. I went back through those notes and found some stuff I had missed before.
There was so much to uncover! Of course COVID slowed things down – archives were closed for long stretches as was the arena itself. But there was plenty new info too. For example, there’s a chapter about Gordie Howe paired with Marty Pavelich since they were lifelong friends-it talks about their train rides getting to Galt.
They arrived in 1944 during war’s last year-not knowing then that those long trips would be their last solo train rides ever-Howe coming all the way from Saskatoon which took nearly four days; Pavelich came from Sault Ste. Marie which took him an entire day.
Those train journeys were really something special because neither knew if they’d make the team yet-Gordie Howe was still unknown but had his whole career ahead; same with Marty Pavelich. When writing about both (who have since passed), I remembered interviewing them many times but had one question left unanswered.
“Gordie Howe named his first son Marty,” I wondered if that was after Marty Pavelich his close friend-and yes, it turns out it was.”</ p
Craig Norris: How did you research it?</ p
David Menary: It took me five long years doing late nights mostly at home-I didn’t get out much! At times it felt overwhelming-I’ll never forget when my computer told me my file got corrupted-that felt like rock bottom!</ p
But overall digging through everything was pretty fun even if tiring sometimes-I couldn’t have pulled off writing this without having worked as a sportswriter decades ago before.</ p
Craig Norris: This looks huge-like some university physics textbook or something! Did you expect that?</ p
David Menary: Nope! Some folks even told me just make it a picture book because people only wanna look at photos anyway-but as you see I’ve packed over 1,000 photos here myself!</ p
You say textbook size but hopefully these stories don’t come across dry-there’s little bit everything for sports fans everywhere here.</ p
Craig Norris: What do you hope readers take away?</ p
David Menary: First off-we’ve got something really special right here in Waterloo region-a hidden gem sitting right out in plain sight almost a hundred years now but hardly noticed much until now-and everyone who played there wants to come back check it out again.</ p
Gordie Howe came back multiple times later in life ‘cause that place meant so much; Dave Dryden did too; Ken Dryden watched his brother play three seasons for Galt Hornets and knew that rink well himself.</ p
So we’re lucky enough to have this piece of Canadian history right where we live-we should celebrate it big time and protect it well going forward.</ p
Also-the title calling it “The Most Storied Arena in The World” isn’t just hype-it really fits considering all those players who graced its ice plus events extending worldwide-and I think lots shows up clearly inside my book.”
LISTEN | A look back at 100 years of the Galt Arena Gardens:The Morning Edition – K-W9:17A look back at 100 years of the Galt Arena Gardens
Galt Arena Gardens have been part of this community for over 100 years. It’s hosted many famous hockey games and players throughout its time. And now, a new book shines light on some of those legendary athletes and their stories. Author Dave Menary gives a sneak peek into 100 Years of Galt Arena Gardens: The Most Storied Arena in the World.Source link
