Percy Frankcom Narrative
Percy Frankcom brought dreams to reality in the Springwater community of Elmvale for many years. On his retirement in 1959, Percy then devoted his energy to sports in Elmvale.
As arena commissioner, Percy organized the rink activities and used his business skills to successfully manage the arena’s financial affairs. He brought the dreams of improving the arena to realities starting in 1973 plus worked to refurbish the arena after the fire. The new lighting, the plastic boards, the compressor and condenser were installed during the rebuilding period were all largely by his ability to make things happen. Percy was the person that installed flags at centre ice for the national anthem. He had the idea from Maple Leaf Gardens and using a furnace blower, the flags blew as the anthem played for many games at the Elmvale Arena. Percy also was a big part of bringing roller skating to the arena.
The lights at the Elmvale Ball Park advanced from a wish list to reality when Percy spear-headed a community drive that led to the lights to be turned on for the first time in June of 1972. Much of the $7,500 needed for the project came from fundraising led by Percy Frankcom. The installation of the lights was his greatest accomplishment as it revived the game in Elmvale. The light standards at the ball park today are the same ones that Percy purchased in 1972.
On the ice, Percy coached the 1955-56 Elmvale Juvenile team to an OMHA Championship, his first of many championships and awards. He also was a supporter of the Elmvale Merchant Intermediate “C” hockey team and became “the voice” of the Merchants as their public address announcer for all the team’s home games.
On the diamond, Percy managed the Elmvale Merchant to back-to-back championships in the Barrie & District Fastball League in the 1971-72 seasons. He remained on the executive until the end of the 1974 season when he left to spend more time making improvements to the Elmvale Arena.
As a member of the Elmvale & District Lions Club, Percy help get figure skating started in Elmvale. He used his position with the Lions Club to help get financing for the new club.
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