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Technorati Tags: Catfish, Dunnville Ontario

Artisan Mike Walker produced this scale model of what the giant Muddy will look like once installed in Centennial Park.

 Ontario’s newest tourist attraction will soon be unveiled in Dunnville. A three-year effort to bring the town’s mascot to fruition in bigger-than-life form is about to be realized.

Muddy, the giant mudcat, is scheduled to be welcomed on June 6 when the 50- foot long, 27-foot high statue assumes its permanent home at Centennial Park at the western entrance to Dunnville.

For a long time the mudcat has been associated with the town especially through its sports teams and proximity to prime fishing. The statue got its name after six-year-old Aiden Long entered the name “Muddy” in a Name the Giant Fish contest run in area schools.

The Kinsmen Club, the Rotary Club, the Lioness Club, the Lions Club and the Optimist Club of Dunnville are all partners in the project.

They have been working to make the project come to life and artisan Mike Walker is nearing completion of the construction phase. Walker, of Lowbanks, is trying to finish the project before the kickoff of this year’s Mudcat Festival and present the unveiling on June 6. But final touches require sustained warm weather and he believes a final estimate of the completion date can accurately be made this week.

Regardless of the date of initial introduction to the public, Muddy will soon assume its place at Thompson Creek and in the record books as the world’s largest mudcat.

Dave Welsh, who is the Secretary/ Vice president of the Kinsmen Club said, “This will draw people to the town of Dunnville like they’ve never seen before except maybe the during recent flood.”

He added, “The big mudcat committee is so excited that it’s close to completion.” Walker has also designed T-shirts depicting the big fish and Welsh said, “The T-shirts are spectacular in four colours and will be available at lunch time on unveiling day.”

In addition to the statue, the redesigned park will also include five three-foot diameter, engraved rocks, each bearing the name of a major donor. A four-foot wide monument will also be erected containing information about the Big Fish project.

Throughout the three-year process of the initiative, first conceived by Jack Hooghiem, final details between the service groups and the County have been negotiated.   Wingfield Park was the original site of choice by the committee but the final location for the statue at Centennial Park was eventually agreed upon. Welsh now feels the final decision was a good one.

He explained, “The committee feels that the current site on Robinson Road is the proper location because of the size of Muddy. It’s better there than Wingfield because the corner location will make it easier to see by passing motorists.”  Welsh said the goal all along was, “To create a positive draw to Dunnville. Plus, it will provide a legacy for the Service Clubs.”

He added that he and Kinsmen president Joe Giroux are particularly pleased. “It’s satisfying for the Kinsmen who have been the main supporter all along.”  The committee includes: John Schofield ( who recently passed away), Al Jones, Welch, Jackie Kleniewski, Giroux, Walker, and Gary Schumacher. Hooghiem is no longer active but started the ball rolling. Lioness Laurie Plath ran the “Name the fish” contest.

By BOB LIDDYCOAT , CHRONICLE MANAGING EDITOR
June 2009

Technorati Tags: Dunnville Ontario, Giant Catfish, Mike Walker, Muddy