Comments:
In 1961, shortly after General Strange Hall with it’s new pool opened, a speed swimming club was formed to train Shilo’s youth for competition swimming. They were named the Shilo Goldeyes Swimming Club. They practiced every morning and evening before and after school and on Saturdays, six days a week to become a leading contender at speed swimming competitions throughout Western Canada and the neighbour state of Minnesota. In 1964, the Shilo Goldeyes won The Manitoba Open Swimming Championship over 28 competing clubs from those regions to highlight their achievements.
A new Special Edition has been created to recognize the perseverance, dedication and support these young swimmers, their families and trainers deserve in their strive for excellence and the rewards that followed. Check out Special Editions for their story.
In 1961, shortly after General Strange Hall with it’s new pool opened, a speed swimming club was formed to train Shilo’s youth for competition swimming. They were named the Shilo Goldeyes Swimming Club. They practiced every morning and evening before and after school and on Saturdays, six days a week to become a leading contender at speed swimming competitions throughout Western Canada and the neighbour state of Minnesota. In 1964, the Shilo Goldeyes won The Manitoba Open Swimming Championship over 28 competing clubs from those regions to highlight their achievements.
A new Special Edition has been created to recognize the perseverance, dedication and support these young swimmers, their families and trainers deserve in their strive for excellence and the rewards that followed. Check out Special Editions for their story.
Added: November 24, 2010
Just wanted to mention that both sister Shirley and brother Donald were born in Shilo hospital.
Name: Bill Gillespie
From: Airdrie, AB
E-mail: bgillespie@shaw.ca
I want to express my great appreciation to Lynn Davis, Debbie Jenkins and the "ShiloBrats Team" for the Special Editions article regarding the history behind the outstanding Shilo Goldeyes Swim Club-which struck a flood of memories for me.
Coach McMeeken was a gifted athlete who devoted a huge amount of time & energy to the support and development of the young people of Shilo.
Founder Capt. Allen's son Brian went on to become an outstanding Canadian Forces Pilot and was a member of a noted CAF Aerial Demonstration Team in the early 70's.
Personally, I clearly remember witnessing the young members of the Goldeyes Team trudging their way to Strange Hall for the EARLY morning practice sessions at "oh-dark-thirty", regardless of the seasonal climatic extremes of southern Manitoba! (to think that we on the PEHS basketball team felt hard-done-by having to show up at the gym at 07:30 for Mr. Clark's practice drills-while the Goldeyes had already been working their guts out in the pool long before!)
I salute all of the people involved with the Goldeyes, and I'm sure that the values and discipline instilled by the participation of the various ShiloBrats served them well in life!