The Town of Bonnyville naming committee is recognizing two individuals for their unique contributions to the community.
The west end ball diamonds will be renamed the Paul Bougie Memorial Ballpark, after the former town councillor. Meanwhile, the Affordable Housing Unit will take on the mantra, Wayne Manor, after longtime board member Brian Ross' late-brother Wayne Ross.
Paul Bougie and Wayne impacted Bonnyville in different ways, during very different times.
Well known for his fierce play on the ice and quick glove on the diamond, Bougie dedicated his life to the Town of Bonnyville.
“During the dirty thirties, my dad would go all the way out to Edmonton to collect used skates for local teams,” said Jeannette Bourget, Bougie's daughter.
Bougie enjoyed a successful hockey career at Jesuit College in Edmonton, before moving to Bonnyville to become the local grain buyer. In 1956, Bougie joined town council, where he would serve for 16 years.
Contributing to council's decisions only scratched the surface of Bougie's community involvement.
“He helped bring a curling arena to Bonnyville, founded a senior citizens' centre, he was even the sheriff for a while. My father always had to be involved in this town,” said Bourget.
Always eager to better the community, Bougie helped pave the way to what Bonnyville is today. In their own way, so to did Wayne and the Ross family.
With the help of then director of parks and recreation Vic Stapleton, the Ross' brought the Dove Centre to Bonnyville.
“My parents were very involved with getting the Dove Centre established in the area. Being involved with the handicap and establishing a home for them has been a big part of our lives,” said Brian.
When the Affordable Housing Unit broke ground, Wayne was front and centre to cut the ribbon. He was also one of the original five tenants of the unit.
“Wayne lived with my parents all of his life until that point. He had always wanted to have his own place. Once he had that independence, he never let it go,” Brian recalled.
Adjusting to the responsibilities of having an apartment took a little bit of time for Wayne, but he enjoyed every moment.
The little things some would take for granted meant the world to him.
“He was almost over the top,” laughed Brian. “It was like ‘okay, I have my own place, I have my own kitchen, and I get to decide who comes in or not.' He really embraced it.”
As the new name of the unit suggests, Wayne was a huge fan of Batman. Brian remembers his brother growing up watching the original cartoons.
“He was a big fan. When we were kids the Batman and Robin series was a huge deal, he absolutely loved it. I think Wayne Manor is a really fitting name for the unit,” he expressed.
Though they lived at different times, both men loved to call Bonnyville home. Now, through these renamed facilities, they will forever leave their mark on the community they treasured, both in name and in spirit.
