A Lacrosse Legend Honoured: Bobby Allan Legacy Bowl Unveiled in Peterborough
/By Scott Arnold
A large crowd gathered at Knights of Columbus Park on Thursday, November 5th, to honour one of Peterborough's greatest sporting figures as the newly redeveloped Legacy Bowl was officially named the Bobby Allan Legacy Bowl, recognizing a man whose contributions to lacrosse and the community span generations.
Bobby allan was all smiles as he got set to step into the bobby allan legacy bowl for the very first time (photo by scott arnold)
Family, friends, former teammates, players he coached, community supporters and municipal representatives were among those in attendance for the unveiling, which included remarks from Mayor Jeff Leal, Councillor Gary Baldwin and the guest of honour himself.
At 92 years old, Allan was clearly moved by the turnout, admitting he had expected a much smaller gathering.
"I thought we'd have family and a few friends here today. This is quite overwhelming. It really is," he said during the ceremony.
For someone who has spent more than eight decades calling Peterborough home, the recognition carries a particularly special meaning.
Allan's connection to the city dates back to September 1941, when his family reunited in Peterborough after his father travelled from St. Marys looking for work at General Electric.
"Peterborough has been great to me. I love this game and I love this city and to be able to put both of them together is really, really special," Allan said.
The location itself holds plenty of memories. Growing up on Aylmer Street, Allan spent considerable time around the property, which once featured an outdoor skating rink owned by General Electric. Before the Civic Arena was built in 1948, he remembers coming to the site to skate, as well as watching the fierce rivalry between Peterborough's two senior hockey teams.
the bobby allan legacy bowl at the knights of columbus park in peterborough (photo by scott arnold)
His lacrosse journey began at Miller Bowl on Townsend Street, named after Doug Miller Sr., who helped get the facility built in 1947 following the Second World War.
"My sister bought me my first wooden lacrosse stick for $2. And that Peterborough Co-op was selling them at that time. That's where I had my first stick," he recalled.
"The bowl became my playground and the game's been good to me."
That playground eventually became the setting for a remarkable career.
A four-time Mann Cup champion as a player, Allan went on to coach the Peterborough Lakers to a Mann Cup championship in 1973. He also coached Canada's 1970 World Championship field lacrosse team and the Philadelphia Wings of the Professional Lacrosse League.
His accomplishments have earned him induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame.
But his influence extends well beyond the playing surface. Allan also spent 35 years teaching in Peterborough, eventually serving as a vice principal and principal and helping shape the lives of generations of local students.
a new sign was unveiled on thursday, just outside the bobby allan legacy bowl at knights of columbus park (photo by scott arnold)
Mayor Jeff Leal, who also grew up in the south end of Peterborough, spoke about Allan's extraordinary contributions to both sport and the community.
"It's not hyperbole to say that Bobby Allan is one of the greatest lacrosse players to ever play this national sport," Leal said.
"His contributions to lacrosse as both a player and a coach are second to none in Canada today. The same can be said of his impact to the community of Peterborough."
Leal said naming the bowl after Allan was a fitting recognition of someone whose personal history is so closely connected to the neighbourhood and the game itself.
The naming also comes as part of the complete redevelopment of Knights of Columbus Park. The facility was previously known as the Legacy Bowl, but following the extensive park improvements, the decision was made to recognize Allan by adding his name to the bowl.
Councillor Gary Baldwin, who brought the motion forward at City Council, introduced Allan during the ceremony, recognizing his accomplishments as a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, educator, player and coach.
He also acknowledged Don Barrie, crediting him with originally bringing forward the idea to recognize Allan.
"All I did, Don, was take it across the finish line," Baldwin said.
Leal said the redevelopment of Knights of Columbus Park is part of a broader investment in recreational infrastructure across Peterborough, including improvements to Bonnerworth Park, Morrow Park, East City Bowl and seven neighbourhood parks.
"The revamped Knights of Columbus Park with the Bobby Allan Legacy Bowl at its centre will have a tremendous impact on generations to come," Leal said.
For Allan, however, the recognition was about much more than the name on the bowl. It brought together two things that have defined his life: his love of lacrosse and his love of Peterborough.
"It's kind of the icing on the cake," he said, reflecting on the history he has with the property and the people who gathered to celebrate him.
He had not seen the bowl since the redevelopment was completed and was impressed with what had been done.
"It's really lovely, really lovely," he said. "I hope the kids use it. I hope the minor lacrosse uses it because it's so central as well."
That hope is fitting for someone who has given so much to the game, both as a player and as a coach. Allan continued playing old-timers lacrosse games into his late 70s and even into his 80s, occasionally returning to the bowl by himself to warm up before heading away to play.
And while the ceremony was a chance for the community to recognize his legacy, it also provided a reminder that some of his playing ability hasn't gone anywhere.
Following the speeches and photographs, Allan picked up a lacrosse stick and stepped onto the newly named bowl, where he spent time passing the ball and offering pointers to younger players.
bobby allan shows he’s still got his skills, pulling off a backhand shot that went into the top corner, causing those gathered to erupt in cheers (photo by scott arnold)
The 92-year-old still had the hands that made him such a special player. He even found the back of the net with a backhand, over-the-shoulder shot, a move he is widely credited with perfecting and one that has become a familiar part of the modern game.
It was a remarkable moment, particularly for the younger players sharing the floor with someone who helped shape the sport they play today.
Leal said watching Allan with a lacrosse stick and the younger generation was among the most memorable parts of the day.
"The most impressive thing I saw today that brought great warmth to my heart was to see Bobby Allan, 90 plus with a lacrosse stick, playing with the young folks here today and showing them a few pointers how to pass the ball and score on the net," Leal said.
"That's a remarkable experience that perhaps we'll never see again."
Bobby allan was front and centre on the Thursday at knights of columbus park as the city of peterborough honoured the lacrosse legend by unveiling the bobby allan Legacy bowl (photo by scott arnold)
