Artist Tyler Soop (left) with the Zamboni, featuring his artwork. (Photos supplied by the City of Lethbridge)

By Justin Goulet

Lethbridge welcomes Alberta Treaty Hockey Games with unique Zamboni artwork

Apr 14, 2022 | 7:46 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge welcomes more than 100 teams from across the province this weekend for the Alberta Treaty Hockey Games.

The tournament kicks off Thursday, April 14 and concludes on Sunday, April 17.

A unique public art installation is helping the tournament skate smoothly. Kainai Nation artist, Tyler Soop, was commissioned by the City of Lethbridge to create a design for one of the ice re-surfacers (Zamboni) at the ATB Centre where tournament games will be held.

Soop noted his personal connection to the design stems from experiences of his family members and is a way to help bring attention to Canada’s colonial history.

In a release from the City of Lethbridge, Soop stated, “I started my company SoopDesignCo. Five years ago and in doing so I try to maintain a close connection to my community and let that influence my work.”

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“I try to take any chance I can get to bring attention to the horrors of Canada’s dark past. I have family members that were enrolled in Residential Schools, so for me and my community, the past is not forgotten.”

More images of the Zamboni, featuring Tyler Soop’s design. (Photos supplied by the City of Lethbridge)

The City’s General Manager of Recreation and Culture, Robin Harper, added that this is an opportunity to showcase public art in a unique way for residents and guests in Lethbridge.

Harper said, “Lethbridge plays host to a number of winter sporting tournaments where we have an engaged audience watching and often waiting for the ice to be cleared.”

“It’s a great way to display public art to residents and visitors in a way they may not have seen before.”

Details and scheduling for the tournament are available on the Alberta Treaty Hockey Facebook page.