Mississauga might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of celebrities, but the likes of the late Oscar Peterson, Paul Henderson and Johnny Bower all have roots there.

On Monday those names will be officially announced as part of the inaugural group cemented in time on Mississauga’s new Legends Row, celebrating the cities most accomplished residents.

“To think I’m going in on the same slate as Oscar Peterson, you’re not really sure you deserve it,” says Henderson, who has lived in Mississauga since 1970.

“And Johnny Bower, he didn’t make the NHL till he was 32. I don’t think he knows how great he was. What a humble guy.”

Both of the hockey legends will be part of a group of 10 inductees at a ceremony to be held Sept. 14. Others include Canadian rock band Triumph, country music star Tommy Hunter and Olympic medalist Silken Laumann.

The idea for Legends Row came from local businessman Ron Duquette, who thought Mississauga should celebrate the achievements of its residents.

“People don’t even know Oscar Peterson lived here for a long, long time. People know of Oscar all across the world, but even people in Mississauga didn’t know he lived here.”

“I had the idea (for Legends Row) several years ago, but I got very busy.”

After joining the management committee for Mississauga’s new Celebration Square, a multi-use event facility in the heart of downtown, Duquette said he had found the perfect place for Legends Row.

It will be temporarily housed in a corner of the square before its permanent location is ready and will feature a large totem with plaques honouring each inductee.

“We went to city council two years ago and they loved the idea. No money is coming from taxpayers; it’s all from the private sector and grants.”

Duquette says that, unlike similar features in other cities, Legends Row won’t just honour residents who have become household names. Categories will include equally impressive but less famous community builders and leaders, philanthropists and businesspeople, innovators and scientists.

But this year will mostly be about stars.

“We wanted to make a big splash the first year with 10 inductees. Usually there will be about five.”

Members of the public can go to the Legends Row website to help the selection committee with its choices, Duquette says.

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Bower, the Leafs goalkeeping legend who won four Stanley Cups, including the team’s last in 1967, says he’s humbled by the honour.

“We’ve been living in Mississauga for 17 years now. Mississauga is home to me and my wife. This means a lot to us.”

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