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News and Events
Benson Centre Gets Kudos from Sens Prez
Get organized, get focused, and play to your strengths.
That was the advice Ottawa Senators President Cyril Leeder delivered to business and community leaders on Friday as he discussed ways of capitalizing on sports facilities like the new Benson Centre during Team Cornwall's Annual General Meeting.
The Sens executive was quite impressed with the $32.5-million facility, and he was quick to remark on the role it can play as a venue for sports and other events. The facility's high ceilings would make it possible to host events such as volleyball tournaments, Leeder noted.
"They didn't spare money on the finishes," he said.
Given the Senators' solid track record of hosting and supporting other events, Leeder was in a good position to offer up advice, and he did just that. Getting organized and getting focused is a key factor, and Leeder said Cornwall is already in good shape on that front thanks to the work of Team Cornwall. As for the events themselves, Leeder said they can be built around distinguishing features or natural features, and Cornwall has that in the Benson Centre and the St. Lawrence River, among other things.
"You should all be really proud of this facility. It's remarkable," he told the crowd on hand for the meeting, which was held in Rink No. 2 at the Benson Centre.
Leeder was joined on the stage by Senators Director of Scouting Pierre Doirion and Cornwall's very own Jesse Winchester. The Sens forward was welcomed as the newest member of Team Cornwall during the AGM, and he took a moment to reflect on the special feeling of being able to play pro hockey in his own backyard.
"The support is always there," said Winchester.
Longtime Ottawa media personality and Team Cornwall Ambassador Max Keeping was also on hand for the meeting, and he praised Team Cornwall for the good work it does in promoting the City abroad. Keeping said the proof of the organization's success can be found in the fact that other communities are now replicating the Team Cornwall model.
"It's a fascinating concept," he added.
Team Cornwall Chair Gilles Latour used the occasion to thank both new and existing Team Cornwall members for the work they do in helping to spread the message about Cornwall.
"We're not about grey buildings and smoke stacks. We're about greenspace. We're about the Benson Centre. We're about the St. Lawrence River," Latour said.
Keeping helped lead the crowd through a question and answer "hotstove" session with the members of the Senators. Following the meeting, participants were able to take a tour of the new facility, which features three NHL-size ice pads along with an indoor fieldhouse and tennis court.
About Team Cornwall
Team Cornwall exists to spread the word about Cornwall's positive attributes as a city in which to live and do business. Team Members, acting as ambassadors, use their own networks to deliver timely information about the community and growing Cornwall's economic development opportunities.
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