New project aims at keeping Turner’s memory alive

The experienCity Project Invites Cornwall To Help Honour a Local Legend

Cornwall, ON —We’re celebrating Black History Month with the announcement of our very first crowdfunding campaign dedicated to honouring one of Cornwall’s greats. The experienCity Project (TeP) will collect monetary donations for the creation a large outdoor art mural in downtown Cornwall dedicated to the memory of Bob Turner, a pioneer who changed the landscape of sports in our city. 

As a former player for both the Harlem Globetrotters and Chicago White Sox, Turner brought his enthusiasm for sports into his work as Canada’s first black municipal recreation director. When he died unexpectedly at the age of 35, Cornwall paid tribute to his leadership by renaming a new recreation complex after him. The Bob Turner Memorial Centre quickly became a hub for ice sports teams and family activities. “The Bob”, as many citizens referred to it, also housed many local arts organizations, displaying art through the facility. 

With the demolition of the Centre in 2013, there no longer exists a place of honour for Bob Turner. This art mural project will help fill that need.

A goal of $5,000 has been set and TeP will invite artists to submit concepts and project bids in late February 2020. A committee of volunteers will choose the winning concept and work with the artist to see the project through. A tentative start is projected for Spring 2020. A location has yet to be identified. (Ideas from the community are welcome and can be forwarded to the project lead at kelly.bergeron@gmail.com.)

“I am very interested in helping our community find a fitting and creative way of honouring the memory and spirit of Bob Turner,” said Mayor Bernadette Clement. “It is remarkable that this city elected the first Jewish Mayor in Canada, and also hired the first black Recreation Manager. It says something powerful about our community. We need to be reminded of Bob Turner’s  story and it will honour us all to make sure there is a fitting tribute.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.patronicity.com/bob. You can also send a cheque to The experienCity Project, ℅ SDC Cornwall, 26 Montreal Rd., Cornwall, ON K6H 1B1.