Our community has more than one hundred
years of sporting history and in that time a long list of admirable
individuals distinguished themselves as athletes, dedicated sports builders and
volunteers. This list keeps
growing as succeeding generations of leaders and champions carry on this
sporting tradition.
The
Wetaskiwin & County Sports Hall of Fame is in the early stages of
development having been founded in
February of 2005, under stimulus of the 100th Anniversary of the City of Wetaskiwin.
The volunteer Board of Directors identified two broad
objectives:
to honour athletes, builders, championship teams, and volunteers who
significantly contributed to the sport programs in the City and
County of Wetaskiwin, and
to collect,
preserve, research and exhibit the trophies,
memorabilia and the tools of their trades.
Through the financial support of the
City of Wetaskiwin, the County of
Wetaskiwin, and Alberta Lottery Fund, the Hall of Fame project was quickly underway. The
inaugural year was busy for the volunteers who shared a vision and
worked very hard to make the Hall of Fame a reality. Without their willingness
to serve, without their special skills, without their commitment of
time, effort, and personal resources there would be no Hall of Fame.
By March 18th of 2006
the first nominations had been received, the selection process completed and
the first induction ceremonies were held at the Wetaskiwin Memorial
Centre. It was a grand dinner with a packed house to witness the presentation of awards to the first inductees.
All sports and athletic activities are
celebrated. Currently a
wall display,
that honours the inductees is available for viewing in the foyer of the Civic Centre in Wetaskiwin. The Hall of Fame committee has been collecting
significant artifacts from Wetaskiwin sporting history. Most of these
items have been
generously donated by individuals or their families. Plans are being made for a permanent home for
the memorabilia in the near future.
The growth of the Wetaskiwin and County
Sports Hall of Fame depends on a wide variety of supporters -
volunteers, financial contributions, donations of memorabilia, and event sponsors.
To all those people and organizations who have contributed we give you a
resounding THANK YOU.
We invite participation from all interested individuals.
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