The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in Red Deer. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (rdnewsNOW) and Christian Oldale (Lethbridge News Now)

Province providing $302,500 to Alberta Sports Hall of Fame

Feb 22, 2024 | 8:02 PM

The Government of Alberta is providing funding to maintain operations of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame (ASHoF).

The funding amounts to $302,500, which will also allow the Hall of Fame, situated in Red Deer, manage and administer the province’s annual Alberta Sport Recognition Awards.

The ASHoF highlights the achievements of more than 1,600 Albertans, from Olympic gold medalists to community sport leaders.

“Alberta’s future is stronger when we understand and preserve our history and celebrate our successes. Places like the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame help us do just that,” Joseph Schow, Minister of Tourism and Sport, said during a press conference at the Hall of Fame on Thursday.

“I’m proud our government is supporting it, as it spotlights Albertans with incredible athletic achievements and community contributions.”

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The Hall of Fame has welcomed more than 20,000 visitors annually over the last two years.

“We are grateful for the support we have received from the Alberta government. Their funding has played a pivotal role in sustaining the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, allowing us to preserve and celebrate the rich sporting history of our province,” said Dale Henwood, Hall of Fame board chair.

“This support not only enhances our ability to showcase the achievements of the athletes, teams and sport champions but also reinforces the significant role sport plays in our community.”

The funding, museum representatives noted, is an increase from the last few years, and at par with what their annual funding used to be.

The $302,500 represents about 55 per cent of this year’s $550,000 operating budget.

Asked if the increase is indicative of a trend with other organizations which the ministry supports, the minister noted simply that it, “recognizes the impacts of inflation on operating costs,” and of the ASHoF taking on management of the Alberta Sport Recognition Awards.