James MacLaren

Inducted into the Brockville and Area Sports Hall of Fame: June 9th, 2017

James MacLaren was the son of one of the founding members of the Brockville Rowing Club, and he served on its board of directors for more than 40 years. He was President of the BRC in 1926. In 1933, he was one of four Brockville Citizens who assumed ownership of the BRC to avoid foreclosure by the Province of Ontario. He provided the club with leadership, stability and motivation to succeed in 1960. He became the first BRC member to become the President of the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen.

He helped raise funds to hire the club’s first coach in 1947 and was a generous supporter of the club for his entire life. He was awarded the club’s highest honour. The award of merit before he died in 1965.