CENTRAL SAANICH — The grandson of the namesake of one of Central Saanich’s busiest parks threw out the first pitch marking the field’s 50th anniversary.
The son of one of the daughters of the late Rom Knott, joined his extended family in marking the anniversary of Rom Knott Park in Brentwood Bay.
May 8, 2016 was the 50th anniversary of the dedication and opening of Rom Knott Park. The small celebration was held prior to the diamond’s regularly scheduled U12 girls game of the Central Saanich Extreme Fastball league.
Extreme president Dave Hamer introduced the teams lining the baselines; Central Saanich Councillor Niall Paltiel who is on the Saanich Peninsula Recreation Committee; Anne and Pat, daughters of Rom Knott; Larry Rhodes, President of the Central Saanich Lions Club (which contributed to the building of the field house in 1984) and other community members.
Romilly (Rom) Knott died in an auto accident in March 1964. He was a true sportsman who was very involved in youth sports, particularly youth softball. He coached, among others, the Brentwood Aces Softball Team and the British Columbia Bantam Girls who won the provincial championships in 1954.
After his death, the community raised over $5,000 to purchase the property. It was a two acre lot next to the Brentwood Community Hall. On May 8, 1966 (Mothers Day) a dedication ceremony was held with over 300 people. The late Muriel Knott (nee Sluggett) officiated with her daughters at the dedication along with Rom Knott’s mother.
— Submitted by Wayne Watkins