The community of Saugeen Shores came together on Saturday, April 6th (2024) in support of its #1 Super Sports Fan, Vi Cottrill.
There is no one who has lived in Saugeen Shores for any length of time and been involved in any sport, that does not know Vi Cottrill.
Cottrill, soon to be 89 this year (Dec.19th), has followed all sports in the community throughout generations of players. She has known young hockey players, baseball players, soccer players and more, some of whom today are grandfathers and fathers with their own young players.
Throughout the years, she has walked untold miles (km) in every season getting to and from games to cheer on the players, and remembers almost all by name and numbers on their jerseys.
When it came to her favourite senior men’s hockey team, the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, she rarely missed a game, had her special designated seat and was often asked to drop the ceremonial puck when the season began. On her 80th birthday, it was a red carpet night as the team presented her with a special chair and carried her on and off the ice as everyone in the stands sang happy birthday.
Now in her late 80s, it was determined that Vi could no longer live on her own but, financially, is unable to support herself along with looming medical equipment necessities.
That’s when the community decided to step in.
On Saturday, a special FUNdraiser was held at Lakeshore Recreation Centre in Port Elgin. The facility was donated for the evening by owners Ann and Gord McKay and hndreds of people filled it to capacity to pay homage and appreciation to Cottrill’s unwavering support of sports.
The event included silent and live auctions with auctioneer, former MPP Bill Walker, whose sons as junior players were cheered on by Cottrill.
Although a final total of funds raised are yet to be determined, at last count, it was more than $11,000.
Photo Gallery 2016 – 2023
for larger view, click on image
