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Founding Member of the
Wetaskiwin Stock Car Club 1968
Founding Member of Sunset Speedway (now Edmonton International Raceway)
1968
Over 50 years of Volunteering at the Raceway
Coached Youth Bowling for 32 years
Community Volunteer Extraordinaire
From 1968-2023
Once a Volunteer, Always a Volunteer
That statement
pretty well describes Don Forth’s life. As a young father he started
out coaching his son’s hockey teams. He then became a hockey referee
officiating youth and then “old timers". Don was always interested in
stock car racing and in 1968 he was part of the founding group of the
Wetaskiwin Stock Car Club (WSCC). That year the club built the Sunset
Speedway just west of Wetaskiwin and Don has been involved at the race
track ever since. Don also coached youth bowling for 32 years and still
volunteers his time at Western Lanes. Besides that he also donates his
time to the Wetaskiwin Icemen Hockey Club. It is because of his varied
and enduring volunteer efforts in our community that Don is being
inducted into the Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame.
Actively Involved in Stock Car
Racing for 55 Years
Don has been a member of
the WSCC since the club’s inception and at one time served as
Vice-President. He is the only member of the original club still active
and involved at the racetrack. Don was instrumental in the building of
the Sunset Speedway. This included creating the clay oval raceway and
Don could be seen running equipment and shoveling clay and gravel. On
race nights he was the Flagman. Then in 1994 he was involved in the
paving of the Sunset Speedway. In 1995 when the WSCC leased the speedway
to new management, Don seamlessly transitioned his volunteer efforts to
the new group. Sunset Speedway became the Edmonton International
Raceway (EIR) in 2001. As an octogenarian, Don still flags at the EIR
and he can still be found at the raceway during the week helping with
new construction and improvements. He also runs the tow truck, is a
repairman, helps with test drives and generally carries out jobs that
need to be done. To recognize his over 50 years of contributions to the
raceway a section of the EIR Grandstands were named after Don Forth at a
ceremony in September 2017. Don was and still is a very indispensable
person at the EIR.
First Master Bowler in Wetaskiwin
In the 1970’s owners of
the Bowling Alley encouraged Don to earn his Master Bowler certificate
so that he could coach youth bowling. Don became the first Master
Bowler in Wetaskiwin. After 32 years of involvement Don retired from
coaching however, he still devotes his time to Western Lanes. Don can
be found at the front desk handing out bowling shoes, assisting in the
oiling of the lanes, working on the machines, helping out with
tournaments and just being at the bowling alley ready to assist where
needed.
Icemen Fan Extraordinaire
Don has always been an
Icemen fan and has consistently attended most of the home games.
Because he was always at the games, one of the Board members encouraged
him to get involved with the team organization. For the past two years
Don has served on the Board of the Icemen and at home games he works the
penalty box. Don is a valued member of the “Icemen Team”.
Happy to be Involved
Don is a very modest
individual and does not do any of his volunteering for recognition, he
contributes because he is loyal, hard working and works in the best
interests of his various organizations. Don is happy to just be
involved. Don should be an inspiration to all of us and is perfect
example of what being active and involved all of your life looks like.
We congratulate Don on his worthy induction into the Wetaskiwin and
County Sports Hall of Fame. Your community is indebted to you for your
service.
Read Presentation Speech by Denise Bushnell
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