What should North Bay name for Steve Omischl. City Councillor Chris Mayne keeps tabs on his facebook group that he set up to get people talking. Story and photo by Chris Thibeault
North Bay City Council is still in the planning stages of giving a little something back to local hero and skiing legend Steve Omischl by naming something in his honour. But at this point, they are still not sure of what that something will be.
City Councillor Chris Mayne says there are multiple options are being investigated, such as naming part of the newly constructed waterfront, or the renaming of a city street. In particular, he believes one option may stand out from the rest.
“Certainly the sportsplex is one option. I think right now it is the most significant opportunity in the community. And although it doesn’t tie directly in with skiing, it certainly ties in with athleticism,” explains Mayne.
“The city is building it, and there is no additional cost. We’re not building a statue or something else.”
Mayne says that although renaming a street would be easy it causes problems that naming a new structure would not.
“If you have a street that is already out there, in official record, it can create confusion to rename something like Ski Club road to Steve Omischl Way. Some people, who live there already, may also be very comfortable with the name that is there already. So, you’d almost need a consensus from the residents,” he said.
“It’s cleaner to find something that hasn’t had a name attached to it before,”
About two weeks ago, Mayne started a Facebook group to get community feedback. The group has had moderate success with several suggestions being posted, some of which are being considered. But Mayne says Omischl would likely be content with anything the city names in his honour.
“He might even say, ‘You know, just name a rock after me’, or something small,” Mayne joked.
With the ball is rolling the issue has been passed on to Managing Director of Community Services Jerry Knox. Knox says that Omischl was only notified a recently about North Bay’s plans, and he is waiting to hear back from the world cup Aerials champion skier.
“He asked for some time,” Knox said. “I think he just wants some breathing room, considering he just finished with the Olympics,”
Knox would not comment about the status of project, but did say that ultimately he thinks Omischl should have the final say in what will eventually bear his name. Knox hopes to hear from Omischl soon so that the project can continue forward.
“If I do not hear from him in about a week, I am going to follow up with him. But, I make no guarantees that I will be able to say much then,” Knox explained.
“Of course, suggestions have been made, though, I hope we can move forward with something permanent,” he added.
Until talks between Knox and Omischl begin again, the naming plans will remain just plans. Mayne says the general agreement in the community is that something should definitely be named in Omischl’s honour because he deserves it.
“Here is a kid who has been at the national level, for years, in a sport that everyone admires,” says Mayne.
“To see the jumps he does-it’s pretty amazing stuff. His body has taken a beating for years, because you don’t always land on two feet.”
“He's put North Bay on the map, and he is a world-class athlete. I think it’s an appropriate recognition.”
