Harvey ‘Harv’ Pearen’s commitment to Collingwood sports spans six decades in his beloved hometown, helping to build a solid foundation for youth hockey and baseball to thrive in the community.

As a builder, Harvey coached various hockey teams during the 1960s, including the
Collingwood Legionnaires Midgets, Georgian Bay Champions in 1967-68 and perennial strong competitors on the ice. The Legionnaires capped off the ‘67-68 season with tournament victories in Wingham and Orillia.

In 1966-67, his I.O.O.F. team went to the OMHA finals. Among the many players he coached during his tenure were two Collingwood-born NHL’ers, Randy Osburn (Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers) and Paul Shakes (California Golden Seals). Harvey moved up the ranks to Junior hockey during the 1970s, as the Manager of the OHA’s Collingwood Blues. He added hockey referee and baseball umpire to his extensive sports resume.

Harvey’s longevity as an athlete in hockey and baseball included being a member of Flash’s All-Stars hockey team, the league champion Shell team, Beaver Lumber Sunday Morning Risers, and 2000 Senior Winter Games Silver Medalists. His first championship in hockey was in the 1950s with the South End Rangers. John Hill, member and proponent of the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame, was his coach.

He was a talented fastball catcher with the Co-operators Insurance, Brown’s Lumber Kings, Gurney Sports, Fisher Electric and LOF Glass. He bravely caught hard-throwing pitcher Jim McAllister (Inducted into Hall of Fame – 2008). Among his teams’ achievements was winning the Jack Hammill Memorial Trophy in the Blue Mountain Softball League.

On Saturday, May 23, 2023, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Harvey Pearen to its enshrined membership.

In 1981, Michel Le Goaix decided he was going to introduce first time riders and encourage competitive cycling with the creation of the Collingwood Cycling Club – CCC.

From May through October, Michel would coordinate 3 weekly rides including a Tuesday short ride, Thursday criterium, and a 80-100km route on Saturdays. He would map and organize the rides, track the results and always rode with the last person on Saturday to ensure they made it home! When contacted, many riders commented on Michel’s unselfishness as he would ride in front of new riders to block the wind.

As president, he organized the first ever cycling race in 1982 as part of Summerfest. This event was held annually for the next 5 years attracting cyclists from across the province. As President, he led the CCC as  host of the Ontario Hill Climbing Senior Championships. These events established the CCC and allowed Michel to work alongside other clubs to hold interclub races.

Many locals credit Michel with introducing cycling to their healthy lifestyle. One particular local, two-time Olympian, Sue Palmer credits Michel in sharing his infectious passion. Working her way up from local to interclub to provincial to National Champion, Sue has participated in 13 Road World Championships.

Outside of cycling, Michel coached Minor Soccer throughout 1970 & 80, marshalled ski races at Duntroon Highlands Cross Country and volunteered for the 1997 World Special Olympics hosted in our region.

As a competitor, Michel was an accomplished cyclist. In his age group, he competed in a 45km race finishing 6^th in the 1985 World Masters Games.

Currently, there is a very healthy cycling scene in Collingwood. Unquestionably, Michel’s early efforts can be attributed to its burgeoning success.

On Sarturday, October 27, 2018,  the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame welcomes Michel Le Goaix as an enshrined member of Collingwood’s sporting history.

Peter Kemp’s ‘field of dreams’ was built in the 1970s with the formation of the upstart Georgian Bay and District Slo Pitch League, one of the province’s oldest and most established slo-pitch organizations. Along with Collingwood Sports Hall of Famer Ron Ralph, he helped construct the foundation for slo pitch in the community and served as an early and dedicated president of the league.

The 72-year-old Toronto-born dentist planted roots in Collingwood during the 1960s and since then has influenced multiple sports –- in addition to slo pitch –- including golf, hockey, and curling as a competitor, leader, and key organizer. He competed provincially and won Ontario Slo Pitch crowns several times as a member of Canadian Mist and Christie’s squads. He competed in the Ontario Winter Games on four occasions. Locally, ‘Kemper’ was active in the popular Summerfest tournaments held each year to celebrate the sport of slo pitch.

An avid golfer, Kemp was President of the Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club in 1974 and during the late ‘70s was deeply involved in the organization’s Junior Development Program. He captained the Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club’s Senior Men’s Division for seven years.

During cold Georgian Bay winters on the ice indoors, Kemp’s other sports loves were hockey and curling. As a lifelong hockey player, he was a central figure in the development of old timers hockey in Collingwood and organized at least 10 Beaver Lumber Tournaments.

Kemp was an active member of the Collingwood Curling Club, instructing Juniors, as well as new and existing adult curlers.

The incredible growth and overall athlete success of Nordic skiing in the Collingwood region inevitably can be traced to the involvement of the Sinclair family in Duntroon.

On Saturday, October 25, 2014, the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame proudly welcomed Larry Sinclair – Builder to join his father Jim, as an enshrined member.

As a young man, Larry competed on the provincial and national level and parlayed his experience and success into a highly respected coach and mentor to young skiers.

During the 1980’s, Larry coached the Cdn. Junior team travelling to Finland, Russia and Bulgaria for international compeititions. He was also a support coach at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Larry brought this experience home and alongside his father – Jim Sinclair – founded the Highlands Trailblazers Cross Country Ski Club. A club that has trained hundreds of youths including a 2x Olympian – Brittany Webster.

As owner of the Nordic Cross Country Ski Centre, the facility has hosted Provincial Ontario Cup races, OFSSA Nordic championships & a National Championships (2003 and 2009).

Larry’s love of the winter outdoors is infectious to the ever growing number of athletes coming to Highlands Nordic. Larry is universally respected across the sport and community.

Sadly, Larry Sinclair died on January 25, 2015 following a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Pat Elson, and daughters Kelly and Megan.

On the ice, Dave Chandler has seen it all throughout his career having officiated 5000+ hockey games during his 37 year career.

His career started as a 15 year old a the Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto. Dave moved to Collingwood to teach at Collingwood Collegiate Institute in the late 60’s at which time he became a fixture across the region.  In 1972, Dave was invited to the first World Hockey Association (WHA) officials camp.

During his career, he was invited to referee at International Silver Stick Tournaments, Quebec International PeeWee Tournament (1973) and officiated 11 International OMHA games featuring teams from Finland, Norway and Sweden. Dave instructed at the National Canadian Hockey Association referee certification program for 6 years.

His talents allowed for him to become the OMHA Supervisor of officials from 1983-1986.

The greatest compliment to Dave is obvious by the sheer number of referees that reference Dave’s valued mentorship in their early careers.

On Saturday, October 25, Dave Chandler was welcomed as an enshrined member of the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame.