The Township of Muskoka Lakes is taking a step towards the potential renaming of the Bala Arena in honour of the late Peter Cowan.
During their latest meeting, Town councillors agreed that staff should create terms of reference for a working group to consider a request to rename the arena.
On Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, Peter Cowan, an arborist and small business owner, was fatally injured on a job in Gravenhurst. At the time of the occurrence, Cowan and his family were living in Milford Bay.
Cowan left behind his wife Stephanie who is from the Huntsville area and their two young daughters.
He was an avid and talented hockey player growing up in Bala. Cowan’s father was also the long-time manager of the arena.
A petition to rename the arena was created by a friend of Cowan and signed by more than 1,000 people.
Council had been poised to move ahead with the renaming more quickly, but staff said after a conversation with the family they would need more time to proceed as respectfully as possible. To do that effectively, staff and the Cowan family agreed that a working group would be necessary.
Council agreed to proceed.
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