Medicine Hat sponsors help Special Olympics Canada Summer Games surpass $2.15M funding milestone

Many participants will be vying for spots at the 2027 Special Olympics World Games in Santiago, Chile.

Games chair Natalie Sauer said the event’s success has been built on years of community support and collaboration.

“We hosted the 2017, the Alberta Summer Games, the Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games. And after we were done with that, we thought we could do this on a national level,” Sauer said.

“We had sponsors that came forward. We had volunteers that we didn’t even know we had enough jobs for them to do because they came out of the woodwork.”

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(Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

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Monday’s event recognized Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat Public School Division, Empire, Pattison Media, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta, EnerStar Solutions and Big Marble Farms for their contributions.

Together, the organizations account for more than $750,000 in support through funding, services and in-kind donations.

Medicine Hat Mayor Linnsie Clark said the community’s willingness to support the event demonstrates why the city was capable of securing the national competition.

“It is incredible to see the support from our businesses and community groups and [the] college and the school board,” Clark said.

“You can’t do something like this without that kind of support. And man, did we get it.”

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(Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

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Medicine Hat College is providing residences, classrooms, dining facilities and other campus amenities that will serve as the athletes’ home base during the Games.

The Medicine Hat Public School Division is providing facilities for basketball and athletics competitions, while Empire’s Safeway brand is contributing financial support and food services for participants throughout the week.

Pattison Media is providing approximately $100,000 in promotional support through radio, digital advertising and ongoing coverage of the games.

EnerStar Solutions will supply Starlink internet services at key venues, and Big Marble Farms is contributing funding and food donations for athlete meal programs.

Beyond financial support, organizers say volunteer recruitment has exceeded expectations, with more than 1,000 people already registered, with organizers hoping to reach about 1,500 volunteers before the Games begin.

Sauer said volunteers remain needed in a variety of roles, including hospitality, ceremonies, food preparation, parking, athlete services and sport operations.

“We’re probably at the 1,250, 1,300 mark. So we’re still looking. The more people we have, the more of a concierge gold standard we could give people,” Sauer said.

The Games will be the largest multi-sport event ever hosted in Medicine Hat and are expected to welcome more than 5,000 athletes, coaches, officials, family members and visitors to the city.

Athlete ambassador Gavin Harker said he is looking forward to seeing competitors from across the country gather in Medicine Hat.

“I just want to see everyone’s smile on their faces,” Harker said.

Organizers say fundraising efforts will continue through the summer, including the Games 50/50 raffle.

Any money raised beyond operational requirements will be directed toward a legacy fund supporting future sporting events and community sport initiatives in Medicine Hat.

As of June 22, 50 days remain before the opening ceremonies, and Sauer said the reality of hosting a national event is beginning to sink in.

“I can feel the energy in our community, it’s exciting, and that means we’ve got to really roll up the sleeves now and come together,” Sauer said.

Sauer said organizers are entering the final stage of preparations as committees responsible for different aspects of the Games bring their plans together.

“We have a lot of directors that are working all quite separately, doing their own requirements that they have to do, and now we’re really meshing everybody to bring it all together,” Sauer said.

Despite the work still ahead, Sauer expressed confidence that the city will be ready when thousands of visitors arrive in August.

“110 per cent, for sure. Our community’s ready. We’ve always been ready. Now we’re just putting the final touches on things. So it’ll be great,” Sauer said

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat sponsors help Special Olympics Canada Summer Games surpass $2.15M funding milestone

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