Kitchener Sports Association celebrating 80-year anniversary ahead of wrapping up programs this year

The Kitchener Sports Association (KSA) is bidding a bittersweet farewell to the community after 80 years of supporting youth athletes.

The association was founded in 1944 with the goal of creating a year-round sports and entertainment facility. That dream was realized in 1950 when the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium was opened, and they continued to support youth sports for nearly a century.

Norm Foss, president of the Kitchener Sports Association, said the time has come for the organization to let the final buzzer sound.

“We’ve loved our association, we liked the people we’ve been doing it with lo these many years, and it’s been a wonderful experience,” said Foss. “But it’s time. We need to do this, and we need to do it well.”

Foss said the association is having trouble replacing senior volunteers, and they’ve decided to finish strong while they can still adequately support the minor sports community.

Foss said the KSA has contributed to all minor sports at one time or another, even supporting world-renowned athletes like three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis.

The KSA donated a heavy bag to Lewis ahead of a fight in Kitchener in the beginning of his career.

“He paid back that money to us,” said Foss. “What a class act. That reflected our motto, which has always been true sportsman make great citizens.”

All the KSA programs, including their scholarship programs and volunteer recognition dinner, will continue to operate through the beginning of this year before wrapping up towards the end of June.

“I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve made lifelong friends through the Kitchener Sports Association and met so many wonderful and interesting people over the years,” said Foss.