The long-planned memorial at the site of the old Listowel Memorial Arena was unveiled in a community ceremony Friday.
At 9 a.m., local community members, dignitaries, and donors to the project attended a sombre ceremony for the official unveiling of the memorial for eight people that tragically perished in an accident at the Listowel Memorial Arena.
On February 28, 1959, Jimmy Hastings, Kenneth Hymers, Ricky Kaufman, Jackie Rheubottom, Bryan Seehaver, Barry Smith, Keith Wight, and Ken McLeod died when the roof of the arena suddenly collapsed under the weight of a heavy snowfall.
When the Listowel Memorial Arena was officially demolished, plans were made to honour the memory of those lost on that tragic day with a memorial park.
The town and the Memorial Arena Park 59 (MAP59) Committee came together and held numerous public outreach sessions and discussions to determine what the best way to honour the victims was.
Residents can now visit the memorial park, located at 380 Maitland Avenue North, the site of the old arena. The poignant memorial installation overlooking the grounds is located next to the Listowel Curling Club and the site of the John Bell Ball Diamond.