Peterborough Declares 2022 as "The Summer Of Lacrosse" of the Sport's 150th Anniversary in Town

Peterborough has proclaimed 2022 to be “The Summer of Lacrosse” after a flag was raised at City Hall on Wednesday morning to commemorate 150 years of the sport first being played in town.

Mayor Diane Therrien (left) and Hall of Fame Lacrosse goaltender Tim Barrie (right) raising the 150th lacrosse anniversary flag at City Hall. The logo was released to the public in early February. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Members of local lacrosse communities attended the ceremony as Mayor Diane Therrien made the proclamation at City Hall. The meeting honoured Peterborough and its rich history with lacrosse also known as the Creator’s Game.

“Lacrosse is one of the oldest sports in Peterborough, an Indigenous sport even predating even that time so there's such a long history and tradition,” said Therrien. “It's going to be a great summer and highlighting all the work that's been in the past and that's led us up to this point today.”

“If you're getting into the lacrosse community, they're just good people,” said Tim Barrie, Hall of Fame lacrosse goaltender. “We've always been called the 'blue-collar sport' but it's the people who've had their hearts in the right spot and we have so many volunteers that readily give back to the game.”

The flag will remain at City Hall for one week then will be commemorated at the Peterborough & District Sports Hall Of Fame.

The 150 years marks the first game of lacrosse being played in town as the Peterborough Red Stockings played the first game in 1872.

Peterborough has won 29 national champions while youth teams have won over 100 provincial titles.

The Peterborough Lakers are three-time defending Mann Cup Champions. Their home opener is on June 2 against Cobourg Kodiaks. The Lakers have not played in over two seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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