FAQ’s – Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame
(CAHF)
• How was the CAHF created? The CAHF’s history is tightly intertwined with that of the Pan Am Pool Complex and the bid to hold the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. Both the complex and the CAHF wouldn’t exist as they are without the hard work, dedication and passion of Mr. Baird (see Vaughan). Baird was the driving force behind the complex havin
g a roof over the building as he lobbied provincial and federal governments for funding. He felt that it was crucial that Winnipeg have an aquatic facility that could be used for training all year round. In order to make sure that the parking lot paving was completed in time for the 1967 games it has been said that he kept a vigil over the construction crew day and night until it was completed once again demonstrating his commitment to the cause. He also felt strongly that Winnipeg was well placed to host the Aquatic Hall of Fame at its new aquatic complex as we are well placed geographically to represent the aquatics from across the nation. Winnipeg’s Mayor at the time Stephen Juba had received a post card from a friend from the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, FL and felt that Winnipeg should have something like this in their new Pan Am Pool Complex. On March 10th, 1967 he made an application for the AHFMC to be housed in the Pan Am Pool based on the unanimous decision of City Council. Mayor Juba then requested Vaughan L. Baird to negotiate on behalf of the City. On April 12th, 1967 Winnipeg was informed that its application for the AHFMC had been accepted. Winnipeg was declared the aquatic capital of Canada in 1967 by the Canadian Amateur Swimming Association, which later became the Aquatic Federation of Canada. On December 14, 1970 the AHFMC Inc. obtained letters of patent and thus is the oldest incorporated Hall of Fame in Canada. Baird continued as the president and chairman until his death on August 17th, 2013.
• Why was the AHFMC created? (the “AHFMC”) was formed to foster recognition for the aquatic sports of swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo. It was also created to honour athletes and coaches of these aquatic sports who have competed in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan-Am Games and World championships as well other deserving individuals. It also became the home of the National Archives for Aquatic Sports. The museum was established to display art, artifacts and memorabilia pertaining to the aquatic sports in order to give visitors the opportunity to learn, remember, and appreciate the sports, the people, and the collectibles through exhibitions, presentations, and inter-active media either on site or by creating travelling events that can tour Canada and have displays at large aquatic events. The AHMFC is hoping to also add all of this information on a new and interactive website.
• Why did the AHFMC vacate the Pan Am Pool Complex? The AHFMC had vacated the Pan Am Pool Complex and Royal Gallery in 2006 over a dispute in regards to usage of the space (and in particular the Royal Gallery) with the City of Winnipeg. When the City of Winnipeg began to sublet the space to other organizations for training and other purposes, it began a long battle that ended in the AHFMC moving it’s entire collection out of the Pan Am Pool Complex and into a storage facility. A legal battle was finally settled out of court in 2014 and a new lease agreement was signed. Both sides are very happy with the outcome and look forward to the future in terms of good communication and mutual benefits for both parties.
• When did the AHFMC decide to return to the Pan Am Pool? With the dispute settled with the City of Winnipeg the AHFMC signed a lease agreement that gave the AHFMC exclusive usage to the Royal Gallery in the Pan Am Pool Complex starting October 1, 2014. Arrangements have also been made to the use of the inside walls of the running track on the second floor. In order to update safety and comply with building codes the outside walls on the second floor that used to display much of the AHMC’s collection will no longer be used. Neither will the walls of the vomitoriums that are the hallways that lead from the track into the aquatic spectating area.
• How did the Royal Gallery come to exist at the Pan Am Pool Complex? The Royal Gallery was the vision of Mr. Vaughan Baird (see Vaughan). When Winnipeg decided to bid for its second Pan American Games in the early 1990’s it became apparent that the Pan Pool Complex needed updates including a second 50 metre training/warm up/warm down tank in order to comply with an aquatics competition of that caliber. Knowing that the AHMFC collection was increasing in size and that a world-class entrance was needed for the complex, Mr. Baird lobbied for federal funds to construct an addition to the original PanAm pool building that would be a major new entrance and exhibition gallery. With the help of the fund raising efforts of Dr. Robert Thorlakson, the AHFMC was able to secure enough funding from the private sector to make Mr. Baird’s dream a reality. The gallery was dedicated by HRH the Princess Royal during the 1999 XIII Pan Am Games at the inaugural event of diving. In her honour this 10,000 square foot gallery has been named The Royal Gallery.
• What was the original intent in terms of usage of the Royal Gallery? From the beginning of Mr. Baird’s vision for the Royal Gallery was intended as a new area to showcase the greatest pieces in it’s collection and to further have display areas to honour those aquatic athletes in the hall of fame. It was also to be an entrance to the AHMFC and to the pool itself during large aquatic competitions. Designed by Ralph W. Schilling and completed in 1999 the 3,000 square metre (10,000 square foot) facility has a distinctive ‘prow’ architecture and was to include a board room/VIP lounge, curatorial office, library with archives, storage and preparation rooms.
• What plans does the AHMFC have for the Royal Gallery? As the AHMFC looked to the future they teamed with Patricia Bovey, FRSA, FCMA who is a Winnipeg based museologist, art historian, writer and management consultant in the arts and not-for-profit sector and was recently named as a Senator by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She helped the AHFMC to set up a strategic plan that provided us with our vision, mission and guiding principles as we move forward. A collection policy was established and new, updated criteria were created for future inductee nominations. The AHMFC held focus group meetings that included the general public and those from the local aquatic sports sector provincially and federally. In the Spring of 2016 the AHFMC began plans for construction to renovated the Royal Gallery. With the help of his right honourable Mayor Brian Bowman (a former University of Manitoba swimmer himself) a team of designers and planners from the City of Winnipeg are working closely with the board of the AHFMC to have our opening in July 2017. This will coincide with Canada’s 150th celebrations, the AHFMC’s 50th anniversary and the aquatic events to held during the 50th Canada Summer Games to be held at Pan Am Pool. Our board of directors is busy undertaking the massive organization to get this institution re-established in its rightful home in the Royal Gallery at Pan Am Pool. In October 2016 the board hired former MLA Chris Melnick as their executive director. Chris has been an instrumental piece in getting items such as fundraising, grant-writing, planning, storage, volunteers, etc… Please don’t hesitate to reach out to her via the email and phone number we have listed on this site.
• Branding, website and new logo
The AHMFC has partnered with Andrea Tetrault of Tetro Design (http://www.tetrodesign.com) in the fall of 2016. Look for a new website, logo and overall branding update in the spring of 2017.
