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Alberta Sports Hall of Fame announces 2023 Inductees

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Introducing the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023!

The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is excited to announce our Class of 2023. The inductees are:

Andrew Buckley- Football Athlete
Andrew is a Calgary born football legend. Moving from a star high school quarterback to a University of Calgary Dinos champion to decorated Calgary Stampeder. Buckley won 3 Canada West Championships with the Dinos and set numerous club records. Drafted 62nd overall to the Calgary Stampeders in 2015, Andrew played in both the 2016 and 2017 Grey Cups with the team before announcing his retirement from professional football in 2018.

Mike Johnson- Baseball Athlete
Born and raised in the Edmonton region, Mike has been involved with baseball for the majority of his life.  He played his amateur baseball in Sherwood Park, and provincially with Team Alberta before he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.  His professional career spanned 17 years and included 5 seasons in the MLB with the Baltimore Orioles and the Montreal Expos, and stops overseas in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.  He was a prominent member of Team Canada in the Olympics in 2004 and 2008, and won a Pan Am gold medal in 2011.  Upon retirement, he has given back coaching locally in the Edmonton area, Team Alberta and with the Canadian Junior National Team.

Helen Upperton- Bobsleigh Athlete
Helen is a dedicated and influential force in the sport of bobsleigh in Canada helping elevate the women’s program to the status of international powerhouse. Over the course of her 11-year career as a bobsleigh pilot, her team shattered numerous international start and track records en route to winning over 25 World Cup medals including Canada’s first ever World Cup gold in Women’s Bobsleigh in St. Moritz, Switzerland. After a close 4th place finish at the 2006 Olympics, Helen piloted her team to an Olympic silver medal in Vancouver 2010.  She retired from competition following the 2012 season but continues to be involved as a coach, a mentor, and an award-winning broadcaster.

Cara Currie Hall- Multisport Builder
Cara is one of Canada’s premiere indigenous sports advocates, leaders, and builders who has dedicated her life to the recognition and advancement of indigenous sports provincially, nationally, and internationally.  She was a founding board member of the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, World Indigenous National Sports international, Aboriginal Sport Circle and the Alberta Sports Recreation Park & Wildlife Board. She has sat on the board for the Canadian Association of the Advancement of Women in Sport.  Cara was instrumental in the founding of the North American Ingenious Games and was the founder the National Aboriginal Coaching School. Her years of advocacy work on behalf of indigenous athletes has positively impacted the future of sports.

Allan Ferchuk- Multisport Builder
Allan Ferchuk has devoted over 50 years of his life to sport in Alberta, with a focus on its positive outcomes on community and post-secondary education development. Ferchuk has coached hockey, both men and women and multiple levels winning national men’s gold in 1977,79 and 80. He has served multiple voluntary leadership roles including President of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference and the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association and chair Hockey Development Canada. Allan was key to the introduction of women’s hockey and soccer into the Alberta Colleges. He has volunteered his time to many community efforts including director on the Board of 2019 Canada Winter Games and Chairperson of the prime Games legacy, Central Sport.

Greg Peterson- Football Builder
Greg Peterson truly embodies the sport of football. He was born and raised in Calgary and spent his entire minor football career playing in the Calgary minor football system.  After his college football career at Brigham Young University, he was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders and spent his entire nine years as a player with the Stampeders. In 1990 he was a CFL All Canadian All Star and in 1992 he was a Grey Cup Championship. Upon his retirement he spent more than 30 years coaching and managing amateur football in Calgary.   He was one of the initiators and a driving force in the multimillion-dollar construction of the three artificial turf fields, the stands, locker rooms, and amenities at Shouldice Athletic Park. He and Tony Spoletini were also the initiators and forces behind the construction of the indoor dome at Shouldice Athletic Park.  Rounding out his sports career he has served as the color commentator and analyst on the Calgary Stampeder radio broadcast for the past 26 years.

Lauralyn Radford- Multisport Builder
Red Deer native, Lyn Radford, has made a name for herself in the sporting community. She has dedicated her life to bringing world class sporting events to her community and rallying those around her into action to make these events a success. Some of the events she is responsible for include the 2004 & 2012 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, 2006 Alberta Summer Games, 2013 inaugural Tour of Alberta Cycling race, and the 2019 Canada Winter Games. She is past board member of Speed Skating Canada and currently sitting as a board member of the Canada Game’s Council.

1991-1994 Olds Grizzlys- Hockey Team
The Taber Golden Suns moved to Olds and became the Grizzlys for the 1981-82 season and in their 10th season in Olds they won their first AJHL Championship. The first of 3 AJHL Championships in a row! The Olds Grizzlys remain as one of only 2 teams to win the AJHL Championship 3 years in a row, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94. Coached and managed by Bob Clark, Chris Stewart, and Cliff Murphy for all 3 championships.

Wilf Brooks- Achievement Award
One of Wilf’s strongest assets in community has been to use sport as a means for helping others achieve their goals.  Wilf has a passion for identifying community strengths and resources and leveraging these to benefit others.  Often navigating from his position in the local business community, Wilf has invested his energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm into countless initiatives over the past 60 years.  From one time pilot projects to enduring organizations, he is proud to have served in the following: collaborating in the founding of Sport Central, partnering in the creation of the Calling Lake Hockey program and development, and supporting countless initiatives with Hockey Alberta, sharing leadership of the ‘Rink of Dreams’ project.  A great deal of his learning came from time spent, focused in Calling Lake and other remote communities.

Mark Stephen- Bell Memorial Award
Mark Stephen’s voice is known to many as one of the voices of the Calgary Stampeders. Since 1996 Stephen has done play by play of Calgary Stampeder games with former Stampeder Greg Peterson to form the longest serving broadcast tandem in CFL history. Mark has also been the national broadcaster for four Grey Cup games. He also broadcast Calgary Roughnecks for Shaw TV, did play-by-play for the Triple-A baseball Calgary Cannons and the Western Hockey League Calgary Wranglers as well as various Calgary City High School Athletic Association games.

Dr. Marcus Dunsworth- Pioneer Award
Marcus Dunsworth was an amazing multisport athlete. He was a 14-time city of Edmonton Champion in Tennis and Handball. 14-time Provincial champion in Tennis, Football, Basketball, and track. Dunsworth was a 2-time Western Canada Tennis Champion, a two-time Western Canada Basketball Champion, and two-time Grey Cup finalist. To have accomplished all of this between 1918 and 1938 when travel and financial assistance to sports was difficult only goes to highlight his athletic abilities.

The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame provides a family-friendly, interactive experience. You will be surprised by what you discover inside! Have fun, laugh, play and discover Alberta sports heroes together. The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is an interactive, hands-on celebration of Alberta's sporting history. Our over 7,000 square feet of exhibit space includes a multisport area with virtual baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer; an adaptive sports area, including a 200 meter wheelchair challenge; a Treadwall climbing wall; the Orest Korbutt Theatre; the Hall of Fame Gallery; an art gallery displaying works by provincial artists, and much more. Our venue boasts a collection of over 17,000 artefacts of Alberta sports history and showcases many of these items in a number of displays. The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame also offers an education program, group activities, and a unique environment to rent for your birthday party, special event, corporate reception or meetings.

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Former Chief Judge of Manitoba Proincial Court will lead investigation into AHS procurement process

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Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Christopher McPherson has issued the following statement on an independent third-party investigation into procurement and contracting processes used by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS):

Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade Christopher McPherson has issued the following statement on an independent third-party investigation into procurement and contracting processes used by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Health Services (AHS):

“While serving as Acting Deputy Minister of Executive Council, Premier Danielle Smith asked me to establish a credible, independent, third-party investigation into the procurement processes used by the Government of Alberta and AHS and their outcomes.

“I have informed Premier Smith that the Honourable Raymond E. Wyant, former Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, will lead this investigation. I asked Premier Smith to issue a ministerial order to facilitate his work and she has done so. Judge Wyant’s work on this matter begins immediately.

“Judge Wyant was appointed to the Manitoba bench in 1998 before becoming Chief Judge in 2002. Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Wyant worked as a criminal defence lawyer and Crown attorney and was acting deputy director of Manitoba prosecutions at the time of his appointment to the Bench. He has also taught law for many years at Robson Hall at the University of Manitoba.

“Judge Wyant will review the relevant legislation, regulations and policies related to procurement typically used by Government of Alberta departments and agencies, specifically AHS, and their application to the procurement of pharmaceuticals and to services offered by chartered surgical facilities. Questions that Judge Wyant will consider are outlined in the attached terms of reference, and include whether or not any elected official, Government of Alberta or AHS employee, or other individuals, acted improperly during the procurement processes. Judge Wyant will make recommendations to the government for improvement or further action as appropriate.

“Appointed under the Government Organization Act, Judge Wyant will operate independently of government. The Government of Alberta will provide Judge Wyant with access to all relevant documents held by its departments and AHS, as well as facilitate interviews with relevant individuals.

“Judge Wyant has been given a budget of $500,000 to undertake this important work, including to retain legal and audit assistance at his discretion. He is being paid $31,900 per month, which is the same remuneration rate as the Chief Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice.

“To ensure additional independence, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction will hold the budget for this third-party investigation.

“Judge Wyant will deliver an interim written report by May 30, 2025. A final written report and recommendations will be delivered by June 30, 2025, and it will be posted on alberta.ca.”

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Province announces funding for interim cardiac catheterization lab at the Red Deer Regional Hospital

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Alberta’s government is partnering with the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation to expedite the delivery of life-saving cardiac services to central Alberta residents.

Alberta’s government is partnering with the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation to expedite the delivery of life-saving cardiac services to central Alberta residents.

Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring that Albertans have access to the health care they need, including life-saving cardiac care and lab services, no matter where they live. For those in central Alberta, the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre plays a critical role in providing that care, which is why the $1.8-billion Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment project includes two state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs.

While the project is expected to be completed by 2031, the government recognizes the urgent need for cardiac services for the 450,000 Albertans from Red Deer and surrounding rural communities. If passed, Budget 2025 will provide $3 million in startup funding and ongoing funding to cover the operational costs for an interim cardiac catheterization lab at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

“Every Albertan should have access to the health care services they need close to home. Albertans living in the Red Deer area have long advocated for a cardiac catheterization lab and I am pleased to support a project that we know will help save lives.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

A cardiac catheterization lab is a dedicated space where specialized teams can carry out diagnostic tests that examine and evaluate heart function to aid in the diagnosis of cardiac health concerns and treatment of coronary artery disease. The lab will be equipped with specialized imaging equipment to allow for cardiac procedures primarily including ablation, angiogram and angioplasty.

The interim cardiac catheterization lab will be located within the existing Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre in a space currently being used as a physician’s lounge. Preliminary design plans are already in place and construction is expected to begin by fall 2025.

The Red Deer Regional Health Foundation has committed to funding the capital cost of the project, which is expected to be about $22 million.

In October 2024, the foundation announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Alberta Health Services to fast-track the opening of a cardiac catheterization lab at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Donald and Lacey families, whose support is bringing life-saving cardiac care closer to home for the benefit of all central Albertans. Together with all our health care partners, their commitment to advancing health care will make a lasting impact on countless lives for years to come.”

Manon Therriault, chief executive officer, Red Deer Regional Health Foundation

The foundation’s work is made possible by the generosity of donors, supporters and champions across the region. To support the development of the interim cardiac catheterization lab, the foundation announced a $10-million donation from the John Donald family.

“I am pleased to support the development of cardiac services in central Alberta, something we’ve long advocated for. This initiative will provide essential care to our community and ensure that more lives are saved closer to home.”

John Donald, Red Deer Regional Health Foundation donor

By prioritizing the development of an interim cardiac catheterization lab, patients will have access to critical services about three years earlier than expected. The interim cardiac catheterization lab is expected to be operational in early 2027.

“Developing this lab will allow us to treat more cardiac patients closer to home and support them in their recovery. Enhancing our cardiac services will also support our efforts to recruit and retain the talented professionals needed to care for our region’s patients.”

Janice Stewart, chief zone officer, Alberta Health Services Central Zone

Being able to meet the needs of the province’s rapidly growing population is a top priority for Alberta’s government.

Quick facts

  • The $1.8-billion Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre redevelopment project will upgrade several services throughout the hospital site, including:
    • an additional patient tower
    • six new operating rooms
    • a new medical device reprocessing department
    • two new cardiac catheterization labs
    • renovations to various areas within the main building
    • a newly renovated and expanded emergency department
    • a new ambulatory clinic building to be located adjacent to the surface parkade

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