“If it wasn’t for the vision and the courage of this one man, we wouldn’t have one of the nicest recreation centres in the region,” declared Mayor John Robert as he presented former Mayor, Howard Armstrong with a plaque commemorating the renaming of the Valley East Recreation Centre to The Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre.

“He overcame fierce opposition, and I truly believe it was one of the reasons he lost the election to me in 1985,” explained Robert. “But he stuck to his guns and saw his dream through.”

“This is indeed a great honour. Something I and my family will cherish forever,” stated Howard Armstrong in his customary humble manner. “I am proud of the recreation centre. I am also proud that despite all of the predictions of my critics, taxpayers of this community didn’t have to pay one nickel of additional taxes because of the centre.”