By Greg Douglas – Dr. Sport
SCENE & HEARD: In sporting circles, an individual who has served his or her team at an ultimate performance level for many years is often referred to as “the face of the franchise”.
Monica Bisson, who’s been performing her trade for 25 years at Hastings Racecourse, is clearly worthy of such recognition. In her case, though, a more appropriate catch-phrase might be: ‘the face of Silks’.
Monica joined the serving staff at Hastings in the spring of 1994 and has methodically risen to the highest standard attainable in the eyes of the parent company, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.
Prior to the start the current racing season Monica was described by Great Canadian as “a prized employee” and acknowledged with the Hastings Racecourse & Casino 2018 Diamond Award.
“It came as a total surprise,” she says. “I usually work these types of functions and I got a call the night before telling me someone else would be doing it and for me to show up anyway. I had no clue.”
Along with the Diamond Winner trophy, Monica headed home with a 10-karat gold lapel pin embedded with a genuine diamond, a Visa gift card and a $2,000 travel voucher, as well as other Hastings management perks.
The previous year she had been acknowledged with a monthly Ruby Award for what was deemed ‘extraordinary service’ and resulted in her becoming a Diamond Award nominee.
Born and raised in New Westminster near Queen’s Park, Monica and husband Norman raised three daughters who have provided them with seven busy grandchildren.
“Between school sports days, tug-of-wars and hip hops, I keep active when I’m not at Hastings,” Monica says. “My time at the track is important to me because I love the people I serve in Silks. A lot of them are long-time customers who’ve become friends.”
The feeling, no doubt, is mutual. The faces tell the story throughout the facility when Monica is on the scene.