SARFC Heritage Wall Project
The Historical Committee of the SARFC has been working on a ways and means of upgrading the “storied walls” of our club to best display pictures and memorabilia of the people, players, events, and highlights that have defined us over the last 35 years. These moments in time capture the character and characters of our club, and are insightful glimpses back into our fabulous history- teams, championships, tours, matches, victories, defeats, personalities, and a multitude of events and special occasions that have provided the background fabric for the close knit rugby community we have become. But over the years the wall space at the club has not been able to keep up with the numbers of relevant pictures and mementos in our collection, and a few current display areas are in need of change and re-dedication. One very successful change you will notice in the club has been the creation of the new Canada Wall, designed to honour all of the SARFC National Team Representative Rugby stars of yesterday and today.
More recently, another initiative called the “Heritage Wall Project” has been inspired by the need to proudly display more club photos and memorabilia in an efficient and classy format. After researching ways that other organizations cleverly utilize wall space we have chosen to create a formidable display wall in the “social lounge” (back room) along the long south wall. It would entail erecting a solid metal frame supporting a series of book-like “pivot-out” panels fronted by wooden doors. This system would enable us to display hundreds of photos and many mementos hidden behind these “pages of doors”, which would fold-out for viewing pictures or shut tight on hinges when not being on display. Those of you who have seen the Edmonton Maple Leafs Hockey museum will see this system in action. St. Albert Public Schools’ have also adopted the model for their heritage room at the District Office. It is an efficient and classy way of displaying photos and memorabilia from the past, present, and for many years to come. This system can be added to in the future.
We have contacted a builder willing to tackle this project. Greg Bucholz has done an amazing job on the Heritage Wall at the Public Schools’ Office and is keen to lend his time, effort, and skill to our project. The Public School District has always been a strong supporter of the St. Albert Rugby Club and they have kindly permitted Greg to use their shop facilities to construct our wall. A work of this caliber demands adequate time and first-rate materials and the total cost estimate we have is close to $7200.00.
The Historical Committee plans to fund this project through direct donations. Roger Scott is in the process of contacting and bringing together “Old Boys”, "Old Girls"and “Friends “ to do the heavy lifting on this endeavor. He is asking for 36 donations of $200.00 each from this group. Other donation amounts can also be accepted to help cover the total cost. Donor’s names will be proudly displayed on the doors of this wall.
Advance thanks for your interest and generosity to the SARFC.
Roger Scott
(on behalf of the SARFC Historical Committee)
