University of Alberta The Construction of Sport Heritage Attractions by Gregory Ramshaw A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Edmonton, Alberta Spring 2009 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de Pedition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-55599-6 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-55599-6 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1*1 Canada ABSTRACT Sport can be heritage, and some of the most recognizable manifestations of sport heritage are as tourist attractions. There are, however, few studies that have addressed the construction of sport heritage as a tourist attraction. The purpose of this research was two-fold. Firstly, this study aimed to understand the ways in which sport heritage attractions are constructed, what affects and alters the construction of sport heritage attractions, and why particular constructions are adopted or ignored at sport heritage attractions. Secondly, this study aimed to consider sport as a of form heritage tourism. These purposes were addressed by examining three types of sport heritage tourist attractions: a sport hall of fame and museum (The Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta), tours of a sports stadium (Twickenham Stadium Tours in London, England), and a heritage-based sporting event (The Heritage Classic in Edmonton, Alberta). Three constructions emerged from this research. Firstly, sport heritage attractions employ a hybrid of traditional and contemporary museological practices that create and contextualize the human dimensions of sport heritage. Secondly, sport heritage attractions employ particular spatial and temporal constructs that emphasize legacy rather than history, in large part because notions of crisis are a central feature of sport heritage. Finally, globalization, particularly as manifest through global tourist consumption, is integral to the construction of sport heritage as many sport heritage sites are created and molded to attract international visitation. These constructions resulted in three outcomes for sport heritage attractions. Firstly, sport heritage attractions are meant to propagate organizational aims, goals, and visions. Secondly, sport heritage attractions are meant to be venues of worship and pilgrimage, where tourists pay homage to their sporting heroes. Finally, sport heritage attractions are meant for cultural and commercial consumption, multi-packaged and produced for both internal and external consumers. Ultimately, sport heritage attractions reflect Graham, Ashworth, and Tunbridge's (2000) assertion that heritage represents a duality of cultural and economic capital. However, while Graham et al (2000) warn that there are frequently contradictions between these forms of capital, their application at sport heritage attractions are dialectical. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A doctoral research program is a kind-of paradox. While most of the researching and writing is done in isolation, the program is rarely, if ever, a solitary process. There have been so many people - far more than can be named here - who have helped me through this five-plus year expedition. To those many friends who have shared food, drink, shelter and (most importantly) sanity throughout the years - thank you so very much! This journey would not have been possible without the wonderful support of my family. Mom and Dad, you have been so magnificent throughout my academic career. Whether it was a hot meal or a plane ticket to a conference, you have always been there for me. What I am and what I will become is a testament to your love. Rob, you have been one of my most consistent cheerleaders, and have been a true big brother to me. Thanks, bro! I would also like to thank the many people who were instrumental in the completion of this research. In particular I wish to recognize my supervisory committee, Tom Hinch, PearlAnn Reichwein, and Jay Scherer, for their support, patience, and guidance. I would also like to thank the rest of my examining committee for giving so freely of their time and expertise: David Mills and Stephen Boyd. I also thank Gord Walker for chairing my candidacy examination and Elizabeth Halpenny for chairing my final examination. There were two people who require special recognition and who I consider "unofficial" advisors on this project. Sean Gammon of the University of Bedfordshire is not only a sounding board for all things sport heritage and a co-conspirator on several research projects, he has also been sympathetic ear and a good friend throughout. Thanks Gammers! Terry O'Riordan, in addition to being an excellent human being and my best friend, possesses some of the most acute observations about heritage theory I have yet encountered. Our many conversations, particularly while we watched games from the third base bleachers at Telus Field, were instrumental in shaping my thoughts about this project, and I thank you so much for your insight and your friendship. Finally, I would like to thank my wife Shawna for being such a wonderful partner and friend throughout these five years. Your support, love, patience, and compassion are an inspiration to me, and I cannot imagine what this journey would have been like without you by my side. I owe you more than I could ever repay - thank you, my sweetheart, and I love you. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 1 Rationale 2 Purpose of the Research 4 The Research Studies 8 References 13 Chapter 2: LIVING HERITAGE AND THE SPORTS MUSEUM: ATHLETES, LEGACY AND THE OLYMPIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM, CANADA OLYMPIC PARK 17 Contemporary Museums and the New Museology 20 Sport and the Museum 22 Sports Museums as Zoos 26 Case Study: The Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum at Canada Olympic Park 29 Methodology 36 Athletes as "Artefacts" 38 Visitors as "Athletes" 46 Discussion - Athletes at the Zoo/Athletes at the Mall 50 Conclusion 54 References 56 Chapter 3: ON HOME GROUND? TWICKENHAM STADIUM TOURS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPORT HERITAGE 60 Heritage, Tourism and the Idea of Home 61 Heritage Sport Tourism and Home 64 Case Study: Twickenham Stadium Tours - "Home of English Rugby" 69 Methodology 77 Twickenham Stadium as Home 79 Twickenham Stadium as the Home of the English National Rugby Team 80 Twickenham Stadium as the Spiritual Home of Rugby 83 Twickenham Stadium and England as Home 88 Discussion: Constructing Home - Crisis and Commodification at Twickenham Stadium 91 Conclusion 96 References 97 Chapter 4: PLACE IDENTITY AND SPORT TOURISM: THE CASE OF THE HERITAGE CLASSIC ICE HOCKEY EVENT 101 Heritage, Nostalgia, Place Identity, and Outdoor Rinks in Canada 102 The Outdoor Rink and Environment 107 The Outdoor Rink and Fantasy 108 The Outdoor Rink and Canadian Nationalism 111 Case Study: The Heritage Classic 113 Methodology 115 "The World's At Our Doorstep": Local Media Perspectives 117 Rural Roots 117 Tourism 121 Community Spirit 126 "Living on Past Glories": National Media Perspectives 129 Canadiana 130 National Perceptions of Edmonton 132 "If You Build It, They' 11 be Numb": International Media Perspectives 134 Discussion 139 Conclusion 145 References 146 Chapter 5: THE CONSTRUCTION OF SPORT HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS 155 Sport as Heritage 156 The Constructions of Sport Heritage Attractions 158 The Human Dimensions of Sport Heritage Attractions 159 Case Study #1 - The Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) 163 Legacy, Crisis, and Sport Heritage 166 Case Study #2 - Twickenham Stadium Tours (London, England) 170 Globalization, Tourism, and Sport Heritage 172 Case Study #3 - The Heritage Classic Ice Hockey Event (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) 177 The Outcomes of Sport Heritage Attractions 179 Sport Heritage Attractions