BOW VALLEY – The local sports hall of fame is back and looking for its 2022 inductees.
After a two-year hiatus, the Bow Valley Sports Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for athletes, builders and pioneers until March 31 to be inducted in its ceremony later this year.
“We’re still active and we want to celebrate sport in the valley, which is the main purpose behind the hall of fame,” said Bob Ellard, co-founder of the volunteer-based group.
“We induct people who spent their active years in sport here.”
“The other thing that’s unique about the Bow Valley Sports Hall of Fame,” said co-founder John McIsaac, “is we recognize the outdoor pursuits aspect to athleticism so the climbers, the kayakers, the Will Gadds, the Chic Scotts, the Sharon Woods.”
On top of athletes' nominations, the board is seeking sport builders, such as coaches, trainers, and officials, and pioneers: athletes or builders who helped grow sport around the Bow Valley for more than 50 years.
The Hall of Fame, which started in 2017, looks to honour local athletes and preserve the history of sport in the Bow Valley.
It incorporated the 19 athletes and builders already inducted into the Banff Sports Hall of Fame, which ceased operating in the 2000s.
Some notable inductees include Thomas Grandi, Beckie Scott, Chandra Crawford, the Monod family, Jamie McCulloch, Will Gadd, and Dr. Pat Costigan.
A full list of inductions can be found on the hall of fame’s website or at two digital kiosks located in the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre and Canmore Recreation Centre that include short videos of the inductees.
The resurrected hall of fame has had three induction ceremonies before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down.
At the ceremonies, which include a dinner and silent auction, the group raises money and a portion goes toward up to eight bursaries and a maximum of $1,000 into the Athlete and Coach Assistance Program, which anyone in Bow Valley can apply to.
“So the money that we raise recognizing sport goes back into sport,” said Ellard.
McIsaac added: “It’s kind of in the spirit of contributing, being part of the community, we take away from the community, so it’s only fair that we give back to the community.”
