Arianna Korbett - 49 years ago, Pincher Creek resident Max Gibb was a part of the committee that spearheaded the Southern Alberta Summer Games. The Summer Games were brought to life to unite 13 regions in Southern Alberta in sporting events that involve the whole family and people of all ages.
Now members of the 13 regions can be nominated for an award in Gibb’s name that have been involved in the development and organization of the Games for five or more years. This year, the M.D. of Pincher Creek nominated Adam Grose for the award.
SASG and SARA committee members with Pincher Creek dignitaries prior to 2019 SASG announcement
Chris Davis - Today it was announced that Pincher Creek (Town and Municipal District) will be hosting the 2019 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG), which will be the 50th anniversary of the event. The SASG draws a large crowd of participants, family members, coaches, officials, sports fans, and volunteers to its host municipalities every year. Pincher Creek hosted the first Southern Alberta Summer Games in 1970, and hosted again in 1985, 2004, and 2014 (the 45th anniversary). The SASG began in Pincher Creek. It covers 13 regions, each with a regional director or organizer. The announcement was made during a special luncheon at Pincher Creek's Town Hall today, at which it was also announced that Taber will be hosting the 2018 SASG. Raymond had originally been vying for the 2019 games as well, but deferred to Pincher Creek because of the anniversary and will instead aim for 2020.
press release - The City of Brooks and the County of Newell are excited to be hosting the 47th Annual Southern Alberta Summer Games July 5 to 8, 2017. Work has already started with the organizing committee headed by Games Chairperson Lorna Morishita. She will be responsible for coordinating the Directors and volunteers leading up to the event which will also coincide with the 150th birthday of Canada.
Toni Lucas - At their regular meeting on Monday September 28 council for the Town of Pincher Creek declined an offer to bid on hosting the 2016 or 2017 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG). Council did want to express to the SASG committee Pincher Creek's interest in hosting the games in 2019 which will mark the 50th anniversary of the games. Pincher Creek hosted the first Southern Alberta Summer Games in 1970, and hosted again in 1985, 2004, and 2014. "To volunteer every five years is pretty impressive, it's a huge undertaking," said Councillor Mark Barber, who said he was concerned about burning out volunteers.
Toni Lucas , photos courtesy of Claire Johnson and Kim Jorgenson
The 2015 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG) took place in Claresholm Alberta from Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 11. Pincher Creek SASG Regional Director Claire Johnson was on hand to help facilitate the games, and to assist people from Pincher Creek. "Pincher Creek competed in almost all of the events that were going on, which is pretty cool," said Johnson. "The only ones I think we didn't have anyone in were handgun, golf, tennis and baseball. I can't think of anything else we weren't in. And a great age range of participants." MD of Pincher Creek had 170 participants and won 27 Bronze Medals, 32 Silver Medals and 80 Gold Medals this year, garnering the most gold medals for a single community. Johnson said she believes that Pincher Creek's experience hosting the games last year helped people decide to be involved in the event this year.
The M.D. of Pincher Creek in the Athlete’s Parade Caleb Evans photos
Caleb Evans - The Southern Alberta Summer Games were a huge success this year. They occurred Wednesday July 8th to Saturday July 11th in Claresholm. Many athletes from all over southern Alberta participated in this big event.
Soli Cooley (Pincher) after snagging gold in Boys 11-12 200m
The games started with a Parade of Athletes and Opening Ceremony Wednesday in which many people marched in, holding signs from their region and many important faces gave speeches.
Pincher Dolphin Brynn Grose (foreground), winner of Girls 6 & Under Flutterboard
Pincher Creek's Mark Wynder (left) and Rupert “Rap” Palao
All the events followed over the span of four days in which Pincher Creek was well represented. I’m sure most of you know how the games go, especially as we were the hosts last year but many of you who weren’t athletes in the Summer Games don’t quite know what it means to be an athlete participating in the competition.
Mathias Gelber kicks the ball in Pincher vs Warner U14 soccer game
It all starts with excitement and pride. These feelings start the first day, the day of the Opening Ceremonies when marching with your team. You feel these feelings throughout the games.
Right before you’re about to compete you feel excited but also worried. You worry about how you or your team will stack up against the competition; you’re excited to represent your town and compete. Throughout the games you’re always feeling mixed emotions, thinking of the best and the worst that could happen. When you step up to play, the adrenaline is pumping through your body. You feel mentally and physically prepared. You just play.
Left to right in green (Pincher): William Johnson, Caleb Evans, Solomon Cooley. Green sub: Julian Krizan
This year I participated in 3 on 3 basketball and U12 soccer but unfortunately my teams didn’t win any medals. It doesn’t matter though, my team and I did our best and we had fun doing it.
Joah Randall (Pincher) climbs out of the pool after warming up
The Southern Alberta Summer Games are all about having fun, teamwork and supporting each other. When I wasn’t playing myself, I was supporting my friends and my fellow athletes in their events. All these things make the Summer Games what they are and being an athlete in these games is an amazing opportunity to experience. If you get the opportunity in the future I recommend participating!
Taylor Deley (Pincher) dives into her race
Left to right in white: Pincher U12 soccer players Rhett Fitzpatrick, Ronan Gelber, Sofia Citrigno and Caleb Evans
Reeve Brian Hammond and 2014 SASG Co-Chair and Facilities Chair John Verhagen
Chris Davis - A delegation from Pincher Creek's 2014 Southern Alberta Games (SASG) Committee recently presented the Town and the MD of Pincher Creek councils with certificates of appreciation for their assistance in mounting last year's successful event. Pictured above, SASG Sports and Facilities Chair John Verhagen presents MD of Pincher Creek Reeve Brian Hammond with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the committee, received on behalf of the MD. The delegation to the MD also included Director of Community Services Diane Burt-Stuckey and Recreation Manager Adam Grose. Burt-Stuckey told MD council that Pincher Creek was hoping to host the upcoming 50th SASG in 2019. Pincher Creek was the first SASG host in 1970, and has hosted the Games a total of four times. A 2014 SASG Final Report was also presented in written form, and is excerpted below.
A sea of Pincher Creek orange takes the field en route to opening ceremonies
Highlights of 2014 SASG
More than 2,262 athletes from 13 regions across Southern Alberta competed for a total of 1,416 medals in 23 sports and cultural events.
Over 5,000 additional participants, family and friends. Restaurants and downtown stores saw an influx of customers and our parks and facilities were utilized to their potential.
The M.D of Pincher Creek Team made up of 440 local athletes led the Games in points and medals followed by the M.D. of Taber and the City of Lethbridge, respectively.
Left behind: gently used sports equipment to schools and clubs in the community. The community will also benefit from improvements to the existing beach volleyball court, new dugouts at Lions Ball Park, new lines at the St. Michaels School track and new shale at the Lions Ball Park, Juan Teran, and Sproule diamonds.
The Committee, Parks and Public Works staff did an incredible job at preparing each venue for the Games. Visitors commented on how beautiful the community and facilities looked for the Games.
2014 Southern Alberta Summer Games Final Report
(excerpted with photos from the Pincher Creek Voice archives added)
The Pincher Creek community successfully hosted the 45 Annual Southern Alberta Summer Games, July 2 - 5, 2014. Planning for these Games began nearly 2 years prior, with the Pincher Creek & District Recreation Advisory Committee recommending a bid to host. The Town and MD of Pincher Creek discussed the opportunity to co-host the Games at a Joint Meeting in October 2012 and subsequently, each Council confirmed their financial commitment by year end. The Town and MD of Pincher Creek signed off on a letter of agreement with the Southern Alberta Recreation Association in May 2013 and Mayor Anderberg accepted the torch from Taber in July 2013 which made hosting of the 2014 Games official!
Guns
The first of the planning committee meetings was held March 6, 2013 with conversations around what sports we could host, potential volunteers to assist, facilities to be used and sources of grants and funding. Over the next 16 months, the Executive, Sport and Cultural Committees were formed and met on a regular basis to finalize sports and rules, confirm facilities to be used and improved, develop budgets and to raise funds through grants, sponsorships and in kind donations. The various Summer Games Committees met a total of 19 times to prepare for the Games with over 35 volunteers filling the key leadership roles. Recreation Department Staff attended the meetings and provided day to day support for the volunteers. As well, they took on the responsibility for the Games website, registration, Games promotions, facility upgrading and coordination of the 'Games Office'. A Games Coordinator was hired in April 2014 and she completed work mid-August when everything was returned, packed up and accounted for. The Recreation Office was used as the Games Office until the Monday before the Games and then it was moved over to the Town Hall Gym, along with the Games torch. The old swimming pool building was used as the "pick up" location for chairs, tables, signs and various equipment throughout the Games.
Bruns
Pincher Creek hosted a total of 23 sports/events including the 5/l0k Run, 5 Pin Bowling, Archery,Athletics (Track & Field), Badminton, Ball Hockey, Baseball, Basketball 3 on 3, Beach Volleyball. Cribbage, Cross Fit Pincher Creek, Cycling, Equestrian, Golf, Handgun, Mini-Soccer, Photography, Rugby, Small Bore, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis and Trapshooting.
The cultural component of the Games was also outstanding, right from the ceremonies to the high caliber photography competition, the incredible quilt exhibition, the vocalist and trick riders! All events were a great addition to the Games and provided entertainment to the visitors and highlighted our local culture. The two museums and Lebel Mansion were promoted in the Games booklet so hopefully their visitations increased during this time.
Lauralee Jones photo*
The Opening Ceremonies were well attended with around 750 being served beef on a bun before the main event. The "sea of athletes" were led into the opening ceremonies by riders on horseback and the Pincher Creek athletes wearing bright orange t-shirts were warmly welcomed by the crowd - what wonderful support from the community! This was only one of the many great moments of the Games.
Volunteer recruitment continued right up to the Games and in the end, around 350 community volunteers assisted during the 4 day event. As well over 75 officials served as referees and umpires for baseball, soccer, swimming, etc. with many travelling from various Southern Alberta communities. A Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue hosted by the Town and MD of Pincher Creek Councils was held just prior to the Games to thank the volunteers for their commitment, to distribute the volunteer t-shirts and to have a meeting with their Sport Chair.
Attendance wise, a total of 2,098 athletes and 164 coaches registered for the 2014 Summer Games, which is an outstanding Games attendance for a smaller community. Pincher Creek was VERY proud to say that 440 local athletes registered to compete as the "MD of Pincher Creek" region, being our largest contingent ever! To top it off. we also accumulated the most points and took first place overall in the Games.
Participants were generally very pleased with the condition and maintenance of the sport facilities in Pincher Creek and area. In addition to the Town owned facilities, there was a great spirit of cooperation shown by the following community groups for extending the use of their facilities and grounds for the Games: Agricultural Society, Oldman River Gun Club, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, St. Michael's School, Matthew Halton School, Canyon School. Pincher Creek Golf Club, Chinook Lanes, Black Powder Gun Club, Cross Fit Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pistol Club.
Facility improvements - those undertaken in time for the Games included:
Track and Field - track repair in southeast corner, line painting, runway and jumping pit replacements, painting of rail fence.
Lions Ball Diamond- washrooms replacement in 2013 and dugouts replacement in 2014;
fence & backstop repaired; new magnetic bases.
Juan Teran Park - dugouts painted and fence and backstop repaired; new magnetic bases.
Beach Volleyball Courts - new sand for existing court and temporary court developed.
Equipment - many organizations such as Minor Soccer, Minor Baseball, Swim Club, Crowsnest Pass Soccer Club, 4-H, Rugby Club, Heritage Acres, Castle Ski Club, schools etc. loaned their equipment for use during the Games in order to keep budgets down. There were some minor pieces of equipment purchased for the track, soccer, shooting events, badminton, tennis etc. and these were turned over appropriate clubs/schools after the Games as a legacy for their future use.
Community support for the volunteers before and during the Games was outstanding. Crow Signs donated the volunteer t-shirts; Tim Horton's and Boston Pizza provided morning snacks and pizza for lunch each day; A & W and Subway donated 50% of the cost of volunteer meals (coupons basis) and Walmart and Rexall donated all the water for volunteers and officials. Volunteers were integral to the success during the Games and they did an incredible job! They were some long hot days. but they remained cheerful and helpful with many compliments being received from the athletes and visitors. There were no major accidents or injuries to report however the emergency services and health care providers were on alert during the games.
'The organization of these Games was phenomenal, seriously a round of applause is required. All of the volunteers that I came in contact with were super nice and very helpful ~ Games Participant
Breezy, Pincher Creek Regional Director Megan Rainford, and Gusty
Closing Ceremonies were more subdued than the Opening Ceremonies but Gusty and Breezy were still there making us smile! It was a bittersweet moment when the Games flag was passed over to the 2015 Claresholm Summer Games representative and the Games Torch was extinguished.
Media coverage of the ceremonies and the sports events was excellent and we appreciated their dedication to take photos, videos and write articles throughout and after the 4 day event. The pre-Games promotions and coverage during the Games, provided very positive reporting of our community and the quality of event.
Final Reports - Following the Games, the Executive and Sports Chairs prepared final reports/evaluations for Southern Alberta Recreation Association for the benefit of next year's host. The comprehensive binder of information, records and budget information was turned over at the January 2015 Summer Games evaluation meeting in Lethbridge, ending our formal commitment as a host community. As well, an inventory of equipment and signs was conducted and these were packed in the SARA trailer and sent off to Claresholm.
Pincher Creek Mayor Don Anderberg and Reeve Brian Hammond present SASG flag to Claresholm Mayor Chris Dixon
Budget - Revenue wise, the original fund raising target of $9,000 was surpassed with over $12,320 being received in cash donations/sponsorships, $10,000 in grants and over $22,341 in recorded "in kind" donations for a total of $44,661. Of the cash donations received, $1,500 from the Lions Club went towards the Lions Ball Park dugout project. and the remaining amount of $10,820 was turned over the Town of Pincher Creek as the fundraised revenue for Summer Games. The final revenue budget totals $93,971.65 with $30,000 from the Town of Pincher Creek and $30,000 from the MD of Pincher Creek. The balance of funds came from Alberta Sport Connection and the Southern Alberta Recreation Association.
Expenses totaled $93,971.65 with the largest expenses being that of the Games Coordinator, the cost of officials and equipment for various sports and overall Games promotions. The Town budgeted in 2014 for facility improvements to the track, Lions Park dugouts, bases and backstop/fence repairs which totaled over $50,000. The MD of Pincher Creek assisted with gravel improvements for the Oldman River Gun Club. The largest facility/equipment costs assessed to the Summer Games budget included soccer nets & flags, sand for long jump pits and beach volleyball pits and painting of the dugouts. SARA reimbursed Pincher Creek in the amount of $1,956 for Games signage, to be used for future Games. Overall the facility improvements will be a benefit to the community in years to come, this being another legacy of the Games program.
Overall we feel the Games were a great success and they ran smoothly with many positive comments being received about the volunteers. organization, facilities and our community. It appeared that hotels, campgrounds and food establishments benefited from the Games as it was a very busy town during the four day event.
Extensive planning and community support is required for a multi-sport and cultural event such as this. It was evident that staff, volunteers and community came together to deliver a tremendous Games! A sincere thank you to the Councils of the Town of Pincher Creek and the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 for your financial support. encouragement and confidence to deliver this amazing "grassroots sporting festival" to the residents of the Pincher Creek community and Southern Alberta.
Organizing Committee
Executive Committee
Brian Wright - Summer Games Co-Chair
John Verhagen - Summer Games Co-Chair, Facilities Chair
Wayne Oliver -Sports & Facilities
Faith Zachar- Fundralsing Chair
Savi Houldin - Fundraising
Kathy Verhagen - Volunteer Chair
Japhla Epp - Medical Chair
Susan Vogelaar - Ceremonies Co-Chair
Eleanor Nichol - Ceremonies Co-Chair
Sue Leong-Neumann - Results Chair
Sports Chairs/Contacts
Angela Walter - Golf Chair
Tobias Gelber - Cycling Co-Chair
Kirn Gelber - Cycling Co-Chair
Trisha Carlton - Cribbage Chair
Roger McAdam - Athletics Chair
Dan Kuftinoff - Trapshooting and Small Bore Chair
Kris Larson - Handgun Chair
Carrah Walter - Baseball Chair
Kim Jorgenson - Swimming Chair
Denise Somerville - 5 Pin Bowling Chair
Ryan Falardeau - 5 Pin Bowling
Anita Doell - 5 Pin Bowling
Janet Watmough - Equestrian Chair
Kathy Rast - Badminton Chair
Carole Goodreau - Beach Volleyball Chair
Randy Whitehead - Rugby Chair
Brent Woodard - Mini Soccer/Soccer Chair
Lindy Jessen - 3 on 3 Basketball Chair
Bob Grier- 5/10 I< Run Co-Chair
Alec Chisholm - 5/10 K Run Co-Chair
Jacqui Bruns - Ball Hockey Chair
Joe Mrak-Archery
Ken Paulson -Tennis Co-Chair
Fetnando Rullan -Tennis Co-Chair
Paula Szaroz - Cross-Fit Chair
Brenda Shenton - Photography Chair
Dixie McAdam - Quilting Chair
Kristen George - SASG Coordinator
Volunteers
Registered Volunteers - 279
Non registered Volunteers/Day-of - 75 approximately
= Approximately 354 Volunteers
Pincher Creek SASG Regional Director Claire Johnson
Toni Lucas
"I'm truly excited to be able to help and facilitate our community for the SASG (Southern Alberta Summer Games)," said the new Pincher Creek SASG Regional Director Claire Johnson. Johnson will be helping people from Pincher Creek who want to participate, and will act as a liaison between this community and the host community of Claresholm Alberta for the games that will take place July 8 - 11. "I'm a huge fan of anything that involves fitness and social involvement and just participation," said Johnson. "I love sports, and our community did such a great job of hosting it last year, and I want to help continue it. It is great also for my school." Johnson has been studying Management at the University of Lethbridge since graduating from Matthew Halton High School two years ago.
Toni Lucas The Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG) were a great success. The arrival of athletes and families from thirteen regions across southern Alberta provided several benefits to our community.
Dolphin Ryanna Elliott Most photos by Kim Jorgenson
Toni Lucas and Justine Jorgensen
2014 Southern Alberta Medals and Ceremonies and Swimming Chair Kim Jorgenson was very pleased with how the Games, held in Pincher Creek, unfolded. "The events ran very well for swimming, from everything I've heard, I think they went very well for everyone."
"It takes a lot of people to pull this off. For swimming alone we needed at least 60 volunteers."
Toni Lucas - "We actually got asked if we would like to put an event into the Southern Alberta Summer Games," said Pincher Creek CrossFit Facility Owner Paula Szaroz. "It was an awesome opportunity, and we went for it. We weren't sure how many competitors we would get as there's only three or four CrossFit gyms in southern Alberta so we weren't really sure what the turn out would be. We ended up with 46 athletes, which is awesome."
^ Cassandara Dollman (pictured sbove ) shared Gold with Claire Madsen (both of Pincher Creek ) for Girls 12 - 16.
Alecia Willis (front) and Madie Link
Megan Rainford photo
"We had some regional athletes come out which really amped up the competition. It made it more exciting and fun. We had kids ages 8 - 12 to experienced athletes, to first time competitors, to regional athletes. It was a really fun competition for everybody." Szaroz was delighted with how well everything worked out and appreciated the work of the volunteers.
Lethbridge 1 vs MD of Pincher Creek Justine Jorgensen photos and videos
Justine Jorgensen
The Juan Teran Park Beach Volleyball Court was the site of two on two beach volleyball for girls 17 and over on Friday, July 4 as part of the 2014 Southern Alberta Summer Games. Although a breeze picked up in the afternoon, the day was very hot; players had to dig deep to play their best in both the heat and the deep sand of the courts.
Alyssa Parkin (Pincher Creek)
A significant aspect of the day was the amount of smiles on everyone's faces. Onlookers basked in the sun while the players enjoyed the game on the court; people were having fun. There was an air of good sportsmanship - teams would laugh at their own mistakes and encourage not only teammates, but the opposing team as well. Beach volleyball regulations dictate that the teams must switch sides constantly throughout a set, after a team reaches a certain amount of points. Every time this happened, the players made sure to high-five the other team as they passed one another, ducking underneath the net.
Raegan Jackson (Crowsnest Pass)
Crowsnest Pass vs Pincher Creek
Although the teams seemed lighthearted and carefree, there was also an element of competition. Throughout the day there was the opportunity to watch both teams that were more competitive and others that were in the Games for fun.
Saturday, July 5 saw the Open Co-Ed four on four teams on the two courts. The intensity of these games was fantastic to watch; there were several great saves, hits and plays from teams that consisted of many seasoned volleyball players. Although the intensity was heightened somewhat from the previous day of competition, there was still the easygoing feel to the event. Players still supported one another and commented on good plays, whether by their own team or the other team.
Beach Volleyball 4 on 4 Open Gold - MD of Willow Creek 1
4 on 4 Silver - City of Lethbridge 2
4 on 4 Bronze - MD of Willow Creek 2
The final between the MD of Willow Creek #1 and the City of Lethbridge #2 was a nail-biter. It highlighted great hitting and plays, with the players unafraid to hit the sand in diving for the ball. The evenly matched game continued to three sets, finally ending with gold for the younger Willow Creek team and silver for Lethbridge. In the bronze medal game, the MD of Willow Creek #2 pushed forward to win third over the City of Lethbridge #1.
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