BATTLEFORD - Know a local sports hero, team or contributor who deserves to be recognized?
The Town of Battleford has announced it is creating a new Battleford Arena Wall of Fame.
The Wall of Fame will be dedicated to celebrating sporting history and achievements in the community, with a focus on ice hockey and figure skating.
"The initiative aims to permanently recognize the individuals and teams who have brought honour and distinction to Battleford through their athletic skill and unwavering dedication," the town said in its announcement.
Nominations were originally expected to close at the end of June, but they have now been extended to July 11.
"We're hoping to have the first set of award recipients by November," said town Parks and Recreation Manager Jordan Schechtel.
Plans are to establish the Wall of Fame in the lobby of the Battleford Arena.
"We're trying to spread the word for people to get nominations into us," Schechtel said.
"You see it in a lot of small towns," he added. "They [the town] thought it was a really good idea or a way to honour those people who have showed excellence in those different categories."
People can nominate individuals and teams in three different categories: Athletes; Teams; and Builders of Sport.
Full details are available on the town's website.
Mayor Ames Leslie is excited with the plans ahead for the project.
"It's a new concept initiated with council, then went to the Parks and Recreation board, and then was created," he said. "There is going to be a wall to recognize people of hockey, figure skating, and a spin off to a little bit of the referees. The initial nomination process is out right now."
"It was extended to July 11th, just because we didn't get an adequate amount of applications for the original deadline of June 30th," Leslie added. "But I've been talking to a few people in the community and have received some phone calls on helping people do the nomination, so I do believe there's going to be some great names and some great family names to be recognized here shortly in the community as part of that Wall of Fame. I hope it grows to be something that just gets bigger and better and with larger recognition every year."
Nomination forms are available on the town's website or can be picked up in person at town hall.
