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Unveiling the permanent site for the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame at the ATB Centre. (Photo provided by the City of Lethbridge)

Community celebrates opening of permanent site for Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame

Apr 4, 2022 | 12:08 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame officially has a permanent location.

The City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame committee and the Lethbridge Public Art committee celebrated the grand opening of the permanent location for the site at the ATB Centre on Monday, April 4, 2022.

Dave McMurray, Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame Chair said, “after 37 years, the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame is excited to finally have a permanent home where we can honour our inductees and celebrate our city’s rich history of sport with the community.”

In 1984, the Centennial Committee for the City of Lethbridge asked a group of sports enthusiasts to think of a way to celebrate sport as part of the activities of the Lethbridge Centennial. This committee developed the idea of a Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame that would honour people who had contributed to sport over the years in the city.

Form of recognition for inductees would be a plaque and pin, which would be presented annually at a banquet held the last Saturday in April. A portable display would be purchased to showcase photos and biographical information about each inductee. The displays were initially shown for six to eight weeks each year at the Galt Museum, as well as at other locations across the city.

In 2014, after many years of working to establish a permanent site, Lethbridge City Council voted to include a permanent site for the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame in the new westside recreation centre, now known as the ATB Centre.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen said, “for a city our size, we have certainly produced an incredible amount of amazing athletes, coaches, builders and Olympians.”

“We have also created a wonderful legacy by hosting many world-class events here in Lethbridge. Sports and sporting events have the power to bring people and cultures together and this local commemoration is great to see.”

The City’s Public Art Program worked with the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame committee to bring the new, permanent site to life. The project was funded by the City of Lethbridge through the ATB Centre Phase 1 Construction Budget and the Public Art Program. Collin Zipp was chosen as the artist to design and construct the site.

The permanent Hall of Fame is located on two levels of the ATB Centre between the ice rinks and the YMCA. The lower level is where banners are displayed for the current Hall of Fame class and current Kinsmen Sports Persons of the Year. Located opposite of the banners is a touchscreen database of members. The upper level has display cases that currently contain items from past major sporting events hosted in the city, memorabilia related to the Hall of Fame and images of early sport in Lethbridge.

On the upper level, there will also be a video display of all inductees and members.

More information about the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame is available through its official website.