A basketball event at the 2024 Southern Alberta Summer Games in Coaldale. (Photo: Cypress County)

By David Opinko

Southern Alberta Summer Games in Coaldale heralded as a success

Sep 18, 2024 | 10:55 AM

COALDALE, AB – More information is coming out about a major sporting event in the area.

Coaldale hosted the 2024 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG) from July 3-6, 2024, and a report on the Games has been presented to town council.

Coordinator Mark McIntosh says everything went off without a hitch.

“We got a lot of people here in town, it was a good showcase for our Shift Community Rec Centre as well and a lot of good comments about that. So yeah, overall, I think it was a good turnout and a success,” says McIntosh.

There was a total of 1,783 participants in 20 different sports.

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He spent the entire four days going back-and-forth between venues, watching the competitions and speaking with both competitors and guests.

“It was really positive. Quite busy in some venues – I went to the Quads a fair bit here in Coaldale and that’s where soccer and baseball were going on,” says McIntosh. “Soccer in particular went well and no huge issues, just a lot of positivity and it was great to see.”

He says it was great to see competitors from 13 communities across the region competing.

Athletes from Lethbridge, which sent the most participants, walked away with the highest medal count at 320, including 146 gold.

Events like the SASG are also good for local economies.

McIntosh spoke to several local businesses during those few days, most of which said they had experienced an uptick in sales.

“It’s really good when some of that money starts coming back into the community, and specially like all the local restaurants and fast food places really seeing an uptick with that. It’s good to see people visiting the community, and not just for the sporting events, but also seeing what else our town has to offer,” says McIntosh.

McIntosh is encouraging other municipalities in southern Alberta to consider hosting the Games in the future. He says it is a great way to showcase their communities and foster a community spirit.

The full report on the SASG can be read on the Town of Coaldale’s website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge leads medal count as Southern Alberta Summer Games wrap up in Coaldale

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