COLD LAKE - “As a parent, you never want your child forgotten.”
Tara Watt said she was “forever grateful and honoured” when she heard the Cold Lake Motocross Association had renamed its track the Mason Watt Memorial Raceway after her son, who passed away suddenly at the age of 14.
She also believes Mason would have loved the idea.
“I thought of Mason because he would have just been tickled because the track was named after him. Considering he wanted to go pro when he was older, I think he would just be smiling down right now thinking that is the coolest thing.”
When asked to describe her son, Watt said “he had a pure heart and soul.”
“He was kind, generous, had a great sense of humour, and he was always looking out for everyone,” she expressed. “When someone was sad, he always did everything he could to try and make them happy or comfortable. He was the go-to guy.”
Mason passed away on Oct. 13, 2020, after sustaining a traumatic brain injury during a motocross event in Two Hills.
Although Mason had a birthday while he was in the hospital, Tara said he will forever be 14 to her “because the last time I talked to him, he was 14.”
He loved animals, basketball, video games, but especially motocross.
“He had been riding since he was just over two-years-old,” recalls Trevor Watt, Mason’s dad. “He definitely loved it.”
The Watt family is from St. Paul, but were regulars at the Cold Lake track. Trevor is part of the board of directors and often helped out with the maintenance of the facility during events. All three of the Watt children raced and practiced with fellow members in the area.
Cody Warman, president of the Cold Lake Motocross Association, said that Mason and his family were a huge part of the track and they wanted to do something to keep him in their minds.
“He was so close to everyone on our board that it’s just an honour (for the track) to be named after such an amazing kid. We don’t ever want his or his family’s legacy to the sport to be forgotten. They’ve had a huge impact.”
Warman added, “The entire Watt family is huge in the motocross industry. His sister has travelled all over the world racing and Mason and his other sister are up and comers.”
Before the motocross season officially started, the Watt family was able to go out on June 5 and have a small ceremony for Mason while setting up the new sign for the track.
A memorial race for Mason is also being organized on Sept. 18 in Cold Lake.
“We’re also selling memorial stickers that we’re going to use the money to purchase more stickers and donate money to STARS (Air Ambulance) and the Stollery (Children’s Hospital). They’re stickers to go on people’s vehicles so he’s not forgotten,” detailed Tara.
Anyone interested in purchasing a sticker can reach out to the Cold Lake Motocross Association on social media.
Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle
