Name recreation centre after Bernie Morelli, councillors say

Two councillors are pushing for the city to name its new Ward 3 recreation centre after late councillor Bernie Morelli.

Sam Merulla and Chad Collins were colleagues and friends of Morelli, who represented Ward 3 for 22 years before his death last week.

The pair will introduce a motion next month for the city to name the $17-million centre after Morelli. And theyre not the only ones who want to see it happen, Collins said.

We have almost since the day he passed received requests from community and from social media, Collins said.

Constituents are calling in and saying I hope council recognizes his contributions not only to the ward, but to the city at the appropriate time.

Merulla and Collins will introduce the motion at the facilities naming subcommittee on Feb. 12. Merulla doesnt anticipate any opposition.

It speaks for itself, he said. Its in the heart of his ward. Its reflective of the renaissance the east end is going through, particularly as a result of the stadium precinct.

In the future, even more might be named after Morelli, Merulla said.

Not only is he well deserving, but there are probably other avenues we can pursue in memory.

Prior to his political career, Morelli worked for Dofasco for 25 years. He also lectured at McMaster University.

He served a term as a trustee with the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board before he was elected to council. He also served many years on the police services board, and was elected chair of the board last year.

Morelli made his final appearance at council in December, when he moved a motion to purchase land in the Pan Am precinct for an $8-million outdoor sports field. Morelli was a long-time advocate of seeing expanded facilities in the ward, his fellow councillors say.