Summer Games set a high bar for next year

Taber chalked up a win as the host of the 2025 Southern Alberta Summer Games, proving that teamwork makes the dream work.

Kaylee Hurt, chair of the Southern Alberta Recreation Association, said just over 1,900 athletes from all 13 regions participated in the Games. The dozens of events over four days were a highly co-ordinated team effort.

“The games were exceptionally well co-ordinated,” Hurt said. “We extend our biggest thanks to the Town of Taber and the MD of Taber for hosting such a remarkable event. Keira, Kory and Richelle surpassed our expectations, setting a high standard for next year.”

Initially, when Taber town council was deciding whether it wanted to host the Games, one of the concerns was the huge volunteer turnout the town would need to cover all the events. Volunteer numbers lagged in May and June, but in the end they showed up and pulled it off.

“Taber excelled in co-ordinating the games and managing the volunteers,” Hurt said. “To be candid, even if they did not achieve their target number of volunteers, no one knew. The events proceeded with remarkable efficiency, and the sense of community was palpable. The volunteers are the heart of these games.”

Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop was equally enthusiastic in his assessment of the games, and was one of the many volunteers. He managed a high jump event with MD of Taber Reeve Tamara Miyanaga. Prokop was one of the advocates on town council for bringing the Games back to town in order to “showcase Taber.”

“The whole concept and what was involved with the Summer Games was just amazing,” the mayor said. “With the 200-plus volunteers we had, we can’t thank them enough for all that. Without the volunteers, it just does not work.”

Of the 1,900 athletes competing, Prokop said that about 450 were from Taber and the surrounding area. He said the athletes ranked first with seven medals, followed by Lethbridge County.

“It went over really, really well overall,” he said. “It was just a fabulous experience.”

Businesses profited from it as well. “It’s hard to measure numbers,” Prokop said, “but we guesstimate somewhere between 5,000 to 7,000 people floating around here. So some may stay, some may not, but they’re having lunch, they’re shopping and supporting the food trucks and everything else. The businesses are really happy with that. So that’s one of those things you can’t help but benefit from as a whole community.”

The weather co-operated and was typical for southern Alberta in July — with plenty of sun and heat — as the Games sprang into action.

“It was very well run and well received by all involved. Maybe some minor little complaints, but you expect some of that with competition,” Prokop said. “But I certainly never was made aware of anything major involved, and nothing but compliments favourably for the Town, the MD, our co-ordinators, the Summer Games co-ordinators and gals of all of that.”

“It’s phenomenal, the amount of people that come together to make it work well. So it’s a credit to and great for the community and area always,” he said.

Hurt said SARA is already in talks with the County of Forty Mile, initiating preparations for the 2026 Games, which will feature approximately 18 to 20 sports, in addition to cultural events. She said it’s been 30 years since the county last hosted the games, and all involved are filled with excitement for the opportunity.

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This article was written by a reporter supported through the Local Journalism Initiative and edited by the writer’s host newsroom. The Local Journalism Initiative is a federally funded program that supports original public-interest journalism in smaller or underserved communities across Canada. Content produced through the initiative is editorially independent and does not necessarily reflect the views of Shootin’ the Breeze.

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