Max Young

There have been many contributors to the sport heritage of the Bridgetown area – athletes, coaches and builders. They all played their role in making the Bridgetown community one of the true hotbeds of sport in the province of Nova Scotia.

During the 1960s and 1970s, one local resident too a great interest in the life of the community and wanted to do something to contribute to its future. His name was Max Young.

Mr. Young was born in Bridgetown in 1894 and died here in 1973. During his years in Bridgetown, Max showed great interest in the many sporting activities of the area as well as the social and cultural life. Due to the fact that Max was not an athlete himself and because he suffered from
various ailments most of his life, he had a great admiration for those who were involved in sports and were very active in the community. As a result of his great interest in the community and his keen interest in baseball and, in particular hockey, Mr. Young wanted to contribute to
recreation, sports, and the betterment of life in the Bridgetown area.

In his later years, Max became quite ill and eventually passed away, but his memory still lives on. With his passing, it was revealed that a large sum of money was left in trust for the betterment of a number or organizations in the community. The Bridgetown Community Recreation Association received financial assistance that helped to keep the arena a very important part of our sports program. Many believe that this facility would not have survived if it weren’t for the financial assistance provided by Max Young. It is important to note that Mr. Young’s bequest to the arena is still helping to repair and maintain this facility which is so vital to our community.

Mr. Young also contributed to Bridgetown Regional High School. A number of Max Young Scholarships are presented each year on graduation night to help successful students to further their education as they leave BRHS.

It is believed that a number of other groups (churches, hospitals, social welfare organizations) received assistance that helped to make our community a better place in which to live.

Max Young was not and athlete, coach or a member of a team. However, the contribution that he has made to the Bridgetown area, and is still making, will not be forgotten. His thoughtful bequest has allowed many generations of athletes, and those who love recreation, to enjoy the benefits of our community arena. He will be remembered as one of the great builders of our sports heritage and community life.