Canadian Flag Returns To Ford Center
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: December 7, 2012
What some call a controversy brewing between some Icemen fans and the City of Evansville comes to an end. It all came down to the Canadian flag inside Ford Center. It's been a point of talk ever since Ford Center was built and now it's stirring emotions yet again.
Last year fans raised concerns because VenuWorks hung a modified version of the Canadian flag inside the arena. That flag was replaced with an official flag, ending the controversy. But recently, the mayor's office says it received several complaints questioning why the flag was displayed at all.
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke talked to VenuWorks representatives and it was decided that the flag should be taken down because there are no Canadian teams in the ECHL. Fans disagreed, however, and started a grass roots effort to get the Canadian flag back inside the arena. Some fans argued that the Icemen team has many players from Canada, and the arena should display the flag out of respect. Others said it should be displayed because hockey originated in the country. "Every hockey barn in the world has a Canadian flag," said Icemen fanatic Dave Huff.
Friday morning Winnecke asked VenuWorks to again display the flag, and by Friday night it could be seen hanging alongside Old Glory and the Indiana state flag.
A group of Icemen fans declared Friday night's game as "Canada Night." Several fans came decked out in Canadian attire, wore maple leaf face paint, and carried personal Canadian flags in support of the arena's flag returning to its original spot.
Icemen fans say they're glad their voices were heard. Mayor Winnecke says he didn't mean to offend any Icemen fans. He added that he is excited to see the growing enthusiasm for hockey in Evansville.
Watch the video to see some of the fans' displays on "Canada Night."
Last year fans raised concerns because VenuWorks hung a modified version of the Canadian flag inside the arena. That flag was replaced with an official flag, ending the controversy. But recently, the mayor's office says it received several complaints questioning why the flag was displayed at all.
Mayor Lloyd Winnecke talked to VenuWorks representatives and it was decided that the flag should be taken down because there are no Canadian teams in the ECHL. Fans disagreed, however, and started a grass roots effort to get the Canadian flag back inside the arena. Some fans argued that the Icemen team has many players from Canada, and the arena should display the flag out of respect. Others said it should be displayed because hockey originated in the country. "Every hockey barn in the world has a Canadian flag," said Icemen fanatic Dave Huff.
Friday morning Winnecke asked VenuWorks to again display the flag, and by Friday night it could be seen hanging alongside Old Glory and the Indiana state flag.
A group of Icemen fans declared Friday night's game as "Canada Night." Several fans came decked out in Canadian attire, wore maple leaf face paint, and carried personal Canadian flags in support of the arena's flag returning to its original spot.
Icemen fans say they're glad their voices were heard. Mayor Winnecke says he didn't mean to offend any Icemen fans. He added that he is excited to see the growing enthusiasm for hockey in Evansville.
Watch the video to see some of the fans' displays on "Canada Night."
