Karma Corner

Zack Grimes could be seen warming up behind the security barrier Friday afternoon inside Salina’s Bicentennial Center, wearing a silver sweatshirt with “OZ Wrestling” on the front of it and his last name on the back. The Osawatomie junior, listening to music at the time on his MP3 player, was getting ready for one of the biggest matches in his career: a Class 4A state tournament semifinal bout against Clay Center’s Zach Anderson.

Grimes never envisioned leaving the arena the next day on crutches with a cast wrapped tightly over his right knee.

His string of unfortunate luck began Friday afternoon.

Grimes held a 6-5 lead in his semifinal match against Anderson after breaking free of a hold for an escape just 22 seconds into the third period. With time winding down, Anderson had Grimes down on the mat just out of bounds. Anderson extended his legs to attempt to record the two points. He appeared to have dragged his right foot out of bounds before moving it back in bounds. It was close. But with seven seconds remaining and a boisterous Clay Center crowd cheering, Anderson was awarded two points, and he held on for a 7-6 decision.

The worst was yet to come.

Mulvane’s Dylan Hagerman lifted Grimes just 20 seconds into their consolation semifinal match. Grimes fell hard onto the mat on his knee. Grimes continued to lay on the mat. He was clearly in pain.

Not only were Grimes’ title hopes smashed the day before, but his season came to a stunning end after he apparently reinjured the knee he blew out prior to the season and the one he is set to have offseason surgery on. He had worn a brace all season to prevent further damage. He had to settle for sixth place after having to forfeit his final two matches.

To see someone’s season come to an end is a part of sports, but considering the hard work Grimes put forth and how much of a leader he was for Osawatomie, I can’t imagine what he’s going through.

Grimes is a good example of what a good team leader is. Every time when he’s not wrestling a match, I’ve seen him encouraging his teammates from the sidelines, many times providing valuable instruction. It’s like having a second coach out there. In the few times I’ve seen him step off the mat following a loss, not once have I seen him throw his headgear in frustration.

In the world of karma, I know it might be another nine months until wrestling season starts back up, but I believe good things will in store for him during his senior year — hopefully, a state title.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Sikh Society of Guelph continues to look for a piece of property on which to build a temple.

Even if the zoning change application goes through for 410 Clair Rd. E., it’s clear there’s a sizable number of residents in the Clair Road/Gordon Street area who would be bitter about it. I can’t imagine a warm welcome or a comfortable settling in. Not now.

For the unhappy residents, the temple would forever be regarded as an eyesore and its presence would be blamed for any increase in traffic on Clair Road — even though more traffic is sure to come its way when residential development along Victoria Road is completed and other planned commercial and retail complexes along Clair are built.

I could be wrong. And I’m not saying they should give up.

But if they are looking around the city, I wonder if there’s an opportunity for the Sikh Society to build their temple in the Lafarge property, that’s located east of the Hanlon between Waterloo Avenue and Paisley Road.

Development on this property encountered opposition from neighbours too. They were worried about noise and traffic and the effect it might have on property values. There was also the notion that the land, which had grown wild after years of being vacant, had an environmental sensitivity and was therefore worth preserving.

The plans were modified to appease some of those concerns and in January Silvercreek (Guelph) Developments Ltd. got the go-ahead from the Ontario Municipal Board to build 245,000 square feet of retail space, 42,000 square feet of service commercial, and at least 340 homes.

Talk about noise and increased traffic. Trucks will be through there day and night delivering shipments to a proposed big box store. It will be a zoo along Paisley Road and Alma Street as people take the back streets to avoid hopping on the highway.

I don’t like it but I understand there’s a process and the application went through that process. And at least the development won’t be as high density as originally proposed.

But wouldn’t it be something to round the bend on the Hanlon just after Wellington Street and see a Gurdwara with its magnificent domes. What a great statement Guelph would make about being a global city.

There’s already the Guelph Bible Chapel on Silvercreek Parkway South, the Guelph Bible Conference Centre on Waterloo Avenue, and St. Joseph Catholic Church on Paisley. With a temple, the area would be surrounded by places of worship. That can only be good for the karma in the neighbourhood.

I could swallow the whole development scenario better if some of the housing could be constructed specifically for affordable housing. And maybe Habitat for Humanity could acquire some residential lots and see some economy of scale in building several homes together.

An affordable community, a peace-loving community, that’s walkable to stores, churches and schools.

Who wouldn’t want that in their backyard?