Sports and Recreation
Fitness is an important part of the military, but sports and activities are also an essential morale activity. Most Pinetree Line radar sites had their own sports and recreation facilities, and if they didn’t, military personnel were welcomed into facilities in neighbouring towns. Sometimes, with teamwork, dedication, and a level of ingenuity developed in remote areas, personnel would build their own facilities entirely on their own.
Sports could be either casual, with informal games and teams and playing against local civilian teams, or official teams that would compete against other radar sites or military bases in regional or national competitions. Recreation centres often had a varied collection of sports equipment that could be signed out, ranging from snowshoes and skis to archery equipment and soccer balls.
Interest clubs such as auto clubs and wood hobby clubs were often formed at these sites as a way to interact with new or different people, or to accomplish a project. Where families were permitted, clubs could include Cubs or Brownies, swimming lessons, reading clubs or anything else for which there was an interest.
Hockey was arguably the most popular sport at the radar stations. Whether it was played on natural ice or at local arenas, radar station teams often played in local leagues with nearby towns. This hockey jersey has a radome on the chest, for the station, and a needle and toothbrush, representing the pharmacy store that was sponsoring the team that year.
Personal Stories and Photos
Curling Club Crest, Stoney Mountain, Alberta. Courtesy Roy Jennings, reposted with permission from lswilson.dewlineadventures.com
Submitted by Jim Richmond, CFS Barrington, 1982-1985
Speaking of fun and events. I was one of the single people at Barrington. The one night there was a Women's Bonspiel at the base. I was on switchboard when I got a frantic call from one of the other single guys. Apparently he had wondered into the curling club to check out the action. Unfortunately he had shown up alone with a bunch of inebriated ladys looking for a good time. He was trapped and asked me to come and help. I said I couldn't so he asked me if I could called the other guys to come and rescue him.
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Submitted by Michel Dagenais, CFS Mont Apica, 1979-1982
I had the pleasure of being the SLOGO (Station Log Officer) for a 3 year stint in Mont-Apica. I am the handsome fellow behind the CO (then Major Fortin) in the pool picture above (ref CFMAD 1999.23.13B.5). This picture was taken in the Spring of 1980 during the 12 mile swim competition, held between participating sites. I don't exactly remember all the rules but, suffice it to say, the members who participated could swim up to 12 miles each in a limited one week period. I remember swimming my heart out every day and this up to the wee hours of the night to add my 12 miles to the station total that was submitted on a daily basis. I don't recall if our site won the competition but we were strong contenders. Our wives and children were volunteers to help count the laps and provide warm drinks, food andsupport. This was another important activity to build friendship and good health at the sites.
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Submitted by Jim Richmond
I remember being the projectionist and we were playing a horror movie one time. Well the cook was right into it and he was getting very worked up. I snuck up behind him and just at the right moment grabbed his arm. Well you never seen anyone jump so high or scream like he did. Another time we were waiting to see ET but one of the ships in Halifax lent it to another countries ship and the studio took it back before we got to see it.
Submitted by Eric Saari, CFB Moosonee 1964-1966
In 1965 our base got involved with a swimming competition. Each base had a hadicap level so it eqallized each base for it's size and personnel, even the size of the pool. It ran for 1week . I can't remember if it was 24/7 or just all day. I remember that it took 105 lengths for a mile. Our winner from the GATR site was Danny Lake. He swam 35 miles, I only did 27 miles. I think I lost 10 lbs. However our base won. It was A full size copper/ brass Hard hat diving Helmet. I wonder what ever happened to that trophy Work was secondary to sports. Curling, hockey, baseball, broomball, and pub nights. What a life!!
Submitted by Lawrence Thompson, Ramore, 1956-1957
I was a member of a co-ed curling team with the nurses from Matheson, Ont hospital.