A symbolic unveiling of the new scoreboard at Queen’s Park East field will take place at the conclusion of the national boys’ lacrosse championships.
The scoreboard, which was used by the B.C. Lions for one season when B.C. Place was being renovated, will go live after the final game at the nationals on Saturday, Aug. 9, counting down the minutes until 9 p.m. when the event officially ends.
The scoreboard was the brainchild of past minor Salmonbellies president Jamie Stewart and past vice-president Warren Goss and was an appropriate project to mark the lacrosse club’s 125th anniversary.
“New Westminster Parks and Rec informed me that the B.C. Lions’ scoreboard was available,” said current minor association president Darren Flintoff in a Salmonbellies’ press release. “Our parent company Stonewater Group purchased the scoreboard and approached our sign company Image Sign and Lighting Ltd. to create a billboard that would inspire future generations to carry forward the pride and tradition of the Salmonbellies.”
The junior A and senior A Salmonbellie clubs both chipped in to raise a third of the overall costs. The remaining one-third was covered by Stonewater and the sign company.
The scoreboard design depicts the historic green wood floor of Queen’s Park Arena, while its retro design adds a nostalgic appeal, added Flintoff.
“I would like to say a big thank you to my friends and business partners, Bill and Kelly Ranford, along with the senior and junior Salmonbellies for making this vision a reality,” Flintoff added in the release. “The minor Salmonbellies would like to thank Stonewater for their generosity in making this iconic scoreboard a reality for future residents and lacrosse players to enjoy.”
