Reaffirms the Organization’s Commitment to Integrity, Accountability, and Community Values
There are defining moments in the life of every institution; moments that test not only what it stands for, but whether it has the conviction and integrity to uphold those principles when they matter most.
Over the past several weeks, the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame has faced one of those defining moments.
Since our founding in 2013, this organization has existed to celebrate excellence in sport, leadership, perseverance, and community service. Every individual inducted into our Hall represents more than exceptional achievement. They become ambassadors of the positive values, character, integrity, that inspire our community and future generations.
However, recent events have required our organization to confront one of the most difficult decisions in our history. While these circumstances are deeply disappointing, they also provide an opportunity to reaffirm who we are, what we believe, and the standards we are entrusted to uphold on behalf of the residents of Aurora, Ontario.
Following the criminal convictions of Mr. Frank Stronach under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Board of Governors of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame has determined that these convictions are fundamentally inconsistent with the values, principles, and standards our organization exists to represent.
Accordingly, the Board has approved a resolution requesting that Mr. Stronach voluntarily resigned both his membership in the Corporation and his status as a Honoured Member. Should he decline to do so, the Board will exercise the authority granted under our bylaws and governance policies to terminate his membership and revoke his Honoured Member status.
Our actions today are not intended to erase history.
They are intended to protect the future of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame and ensure that the values we celebrate remain consistent with the values our community expects us to uphold.
This decision was reached only after extensive governance review, consultation with legal counsel, and thoughtful deliberation with our Board of Governors. Throughout this process, we have remained committed to following the bylaws, policies, and governance framework that have guided the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame since its incorporation in 2013.
Equally important, the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame is a party to a Funding Agreement with the Town of Aurora that contains a Morality Clause. That agreement requires
our organization to conduct itself in a manner that protects and does not negatively affect the reputation of the Town of Aurora.
On Friday, July 3, 2026, the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame formally delivered correspondence to Mr. Stronach requesting a response by midnight on July 8, 2026. As no response was received within the prescribed timeframe, the Board of Governors is proceeding in accordance with its previously approved resolution to terminate his lifetime voting membership in the Corporation and revoke his status as a Honoured Member of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame.
As Directors of the Corporation, we have both a legal and fiduciary responsibility to respect and honour those obligations.
We recognize that some members of our community wished these actions could have occurred more quickly, and we understand and respect those perspectives. However, our responsibility as stewards of this institution is to ensure every decision is made responsibly, fairly, and in accordance with our governing documents, our legal obligations, and the principles upon which this organization was founded.
Protecting the integrity of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame required us to follow the proper process while remaining faithful to our values.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to every member of our Board of Governors and to thank the Town of Aurora for its continued partnership, collaboration, and support throughout this process. Together, we share a commitment to fostering a community built upon dignity, respect, accountability, and safety for all.
The Aurora Sports Hall of Fame unequivocally condemns sexual assault, violence against women, and every form of gender-based violence. Women deserve to live, work, compete, volunteer, and contribute to our communities free from fear, intimidation, abuse, or violence. Acts of sexual violence are unconscionable. They have no place in our society, and they have no place among the values represented by the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame.
Recognition within our Hall is both an honour and a responsibility. Individuals whose conduct has been determined by the courts to be fundamentally inconsistent with these principles cannot continue to represent the ideals our organization exists to celebrate. While this has been one of the most difficult chapters in our organization’s history, it will not define our future.
Our future will be defined by the choices we make today.
This institution remains committed to recognizing athletes, coaches, builders, teams, members of the media, sponsors, volunteers, and community leaders whose accomplishments are matched by integrity, sportsmanship, leadership, and service.
To our Honoured Members, volunteers, sponsors, donors, community partners, and the residents of Aurora, thank you for your continued confidence and trust.
In closing, Javed S. Khan, CD, President & Chair of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, offered the following statement:
“This was not a decision the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame made lightly. We recognize that some members of our community may have wished for a quicker response, and we understand and respect those perspectives. However, it was our responsibility to ensure that every decision was made thoughtfully, fairly, and in accordance with our governance framework, our bylaws, and our funding agreement with the Town of Aurora. Our duty has always been to act in the best interests of the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame while preserving the integrity of the organization and upholding the values our community expects of us.”
Together, we will continue protecting the integrity of this institution, preserving the honour associated with induction into the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame, and ensuring that future generations inherit an organization that reflects the very best of our community.
