City of Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat
2013
Contents
Municipal Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Provincial Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Why Medicine Hat?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Our History. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Hockey Town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Volunteer & Tourism Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Proposed Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1
Municipal Support
Comments from Mayor Boucher:
It is very rare that a city our size has the opportunity
to open its doors to all of Canada. Medicine Hat
is pleased to present our quality of life and how
sports have taken a large part of our daily lives. We
have embraced hockey as our main sport and have
produced athletes and officials to participate at all
levels. This sport has, and will continue to build
our character as individuals and as a community.
Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada 2013 would be
the pinnacle of our celebration for hockey should
the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and its
sponsors choose our City. On behalf of all our
residents we thank you for this opportunity and
we welcome Canadians to our home!
Medicine Hat City Council recognizes the importance of hosting a wide range of cultural, sporting
and civic events. City Council created a formal
Committee to prepare a bid that showcases both
Medicine Hat’s love of the game of hockey and
its strong community spirit to host an important
event of this nature.
At the City Council meeting held on February 21,
2012, the following motion was approved:
“That the city submit a bid, including
a letter of support, to host Hockey
Day in Canada in 2013 to CBC Sports
and form a bid committee.”
CARRIED
Norm Boucher
2
Provincial Support
3
4
Why Medicine Hat?
Medicine Hat is a vibrant city of 62,000 residents
and still retains its small town feel.
golf courses, soccer pitches, baseball diamonds,
hockey rinks, and pools are extensively used.
The quality of life people experience in Medicine
Hat is described as the ‘Medicine Hat Advantage.’ It
is a community where sports, recreation, community involvement, cultural events and hospitality
are integral to why people choose Medicine Hat
as an excellent place to live, work, and raise their
families.
Our city is rich in local history and unique attractions, from the 20-story high Saamis Tepee, the
Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic
District, the gaslight-themed downtown, to the
state-of-the-art Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.
This ‘Oasis on the Prairie,’ is nestled in the beautiful
South Saskatchewan River Valley, amid coulees,
rolling prairie and carved hillsides.
Medicine Hat receives less precipitation annually
than most other cities on the Canadian Prairies
and is widely known as ‘the sunniest city in Canada’
with over 2,500 hours of sunshine per year, making
it an attractive year-round outdoor and winter
destination.
Hatters are physically active and this,
combined with the exceptional climate, ensures that the City’s
100 parks, 90 kilometers of walking trails,
World-famous tourist attractions, such as Dinosaur
Provincial Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park,
Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park & the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology are just a drive away.
Hockey is an integral component of the recreational and cultural makeup of the community.
Hockey arenas continue to be the major gathering
places throughout the winter, with young children
through to seniors coming to play, watch and cheer
for their favorite players and teams. Impromptu
street hockey games are a familiar scene and
Saturday nights are reserved for attending a Medicine Hat Tiger hockey game or listening to Bob
Ridley do the play by play on the radio.
Medicine Hat is a hockey town where
‘Hockey Supports Community and the
Community Supports Hockey.” We
welcome the nation to share our love
for hockey during Hockey Day
in Canada 2013.
5
Our History
The city of Medicine Hat owes its origin to the
Canadian Pacific Railway’s decision to build a
crossing of the South Saskatchewan River at this
favourable location. The rail crossing brought
European settlers and soon the city became a rail
hub, transporting coal for steam powered boats
and trains.
The location was referred to as Saamis, meaning
“Medicine Hat.” There are at least a dozen stories
and legends which attempt to explain this unique
name. The two most common explanations of
the term “Saamis” revolve around a First Nations
woman sacrificing herself to a river spirit so that
her people would always eat; or a battle between
the Blackfoot and the Cree during which a Shaman’s special head dress fell on the battlefield.
The Gas City
Medicine Hat is considered to be the birthplace
of Alberta’s petrochemical industry. In 1883, railroad crews drilling for water to feed their boilers
instead discovered shallow pools of natural gas.
Subsequent discoveries led to the harnessing and
development of this efficiently burning fuel to
provide the community heat, light, and power.
Community leaders quickly capitalized on this
special resource and used it to attract a variety of
industries, which made Medicine Hat much more
than the traditional agricultural service community
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of the prairies. Several natural gas supported
industries, from greenhouses to fertilizer plants,
continue to provide employment for many
“Hatters.”
Rudyard Kipling, during a visit in 1907 made
the following observation about the City’s
gas reserves: “This part of the country
seems to have all hell for a basement, and
the only trap door appears to be in Medicine
Hat. And don’t you ever think of changing
the name of your town. It’s all your own and
the only hat of its kind on earth.”
Bricks, Clay Jars, and Glass
Another local natural resource discovered in the
area was the huge clay deposit that was perfect for
bricks and crockery. The combination of abundant
natural gas, large supplies of water and access to
regional and national markets by rail were perfect
for the foundation for the development of clay
industries. Later, industrial glass-making equipment was imported and this evolved into one of
the earliest studio glass production centers in the
world. Today, Medicine Hat’s historic core buildings
bear witness to the early brick and ceramic plants,
while products from Medalta Clay Industries and
Altaglass continue to be sought after by avid collectors.
Theatrical group portrait of eight young ladies
cast as specialty dancers in Medicine Hats Amateur Operatic Society’s production of “Florodora” — 1923 (top). Ogilvie Mill, which continues
to be operated today. — ca. 1920 (below). Hatters
are proud of their publicly owned utilities. This
neon sign (right) hung from City Hall — ca. 1955.
Altaglass craftsman Francisco Ribas demonstrating glass blowing to a visiting school class
— June 1, 1972 (right).
Adapting to a Desert
Despite the semi-arid climate, agriculture in the
form of dry-land farming and cattle ranching were
important industries and way of life in the region.
As a growing transportation hub in the late 19th
century, Medicine Hat shipped thousands of cattle
east on the railroad and then overseas. Ranching
in particular has shaped the community’s identity.
The Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede is
celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2012.
Cultural Stepping Stones
The first European residents of this
community were fully conscious
that they were making history and
just three years after the first train
crossed the river, the local newspaper
was calling for a local history to be
assembled. The railroad also brought
travelling performers and productions from across
the country, the United States and overseas. These
acts were supported by a cultured community
which brought its own artistic traditions as part
of its settlers’ effects. From these roots grew a
thriving local arts scene which includes regular
musical performances, dramatic productions, art
exhibitions, and dance recitals. The community’s
rich documented heritage, its material heritage,
art appreciation, and stage performances are
showcased in the community’s unique Esplanade
Arts and Heritage Centre.
7
Hockey Town
Medicine Hat Hockey Club
The Medicine Hat Hockey Club was formed in 1895,
as a result of a covered rink being built – Colter
Rink. Prior to this, local hockey teams played on
frozen creeks and the river. Hockey became a
very popular pastime and the Medicine Hat senior
hockey team of 1896 was able to compete successfully in the Territorial Hockey Championship held
in Calgary. They won this championship of the
Northwest. The championship game was played
before the ‘largest crowd ever assembled to watch
a hockey contest’. (Calgary Herald, March 1896)
The Carson Creek Rats
In the winter of 1933, a group of young men,
known as the Carson Creek Rats, dammed and
built Medicine Hat’s largest outdoor rink on Seven
Persons Creek. In order to build the rink, the group
had to put in a lot of hard work: dig an area to
form the rink, fill buckets and barrels with water
and then drag these on hand sleighs back to the
rink and dump them. In later years they were able
8
to get water from across the tracks at Dederer’s
Mill. Many garden hoses were sacrificed to this
project as the hoses were run over by trains until
finally the boys dug a hole under the tracks. The
rink would be washed away by spring run-off, but
the Creek Rats always came back the next year to
build again.
This rink was well used by the general population
for skating and a hockey team was formed by the
boys who built the rink. Later on, the men were
sponsored by Carson’s General Store, which gave
the group the name, “Carson Creek Rats.” As a
hockey team, the Creek Rats went on to win the
Medicine Hat Commercial League five years in
a row. When World War II started, however, the
majority of the group enlisted in the army, which
ended the team.
Riverside hockey team – 1934 (below left). Elm Street
School boys hockey team with teacher and coach, George
Davison – 1937 (below right).
Major W.J. (Danny) McLeod
Major W.J. (Danny) McLeod is one of the most
recognized Carson Creek Rats.
As Director of Athletics at the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON, Major McLeod was a driving
force behind the creation of CIAU, now called
Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and served as
its founding secretary-treasurer. He also became
one of the founding fathers of the Canadian
Athletic Union. As a member of The Federation
of International University Sports he served as
Chef de Mission of the 1968 International Student
Games in Torino, Italy. While at the Royal Military College, Major McLeod
was a respected and successful hockey coach,
who simultaneously coached the RMC team,
the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey
League and the Kingston Aces (Senior A). He was
twice named Ontario Hockey Coach of the Year.
Following his retirement from RMC in 1971, he
joined the National Hockey League as Supervisor
of Officials in the expanded 12-team league. This
involved training and supervising referees and
linesmen in the NHL and AHL. He also trained all
on-ice officials on international rules for the 1972
Summit Series between Canada and the USSR. He
also did on-ice training of the NHL officials for the
1972 Olympic Series with Canadian and foreign
officials from Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway and
Germany.
In 2011, Medicine Hat honoured one of its own by
inducting Major McLeod into the Medicine Hat
Sports Wall of Fame.
9
Hockey Town
Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers have a rich tradition
and 42-year history of entertaining hockey fans
in southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan with the best junior hockey the world
has to offer. The Tigers have played over 3,360
regular season, playoff and Memorial Cup games.
The Tiger’s name is synonymous with the city it
represents and is deeply woven into the fabric of
Medicine Hat much in the same manner the NFL’s
Packers are to Green Bay. Tiger’s alumni have also
made a strong impact on the National Hockey
League with 111 players being drafted and 60
players having NHL careers.
Three of the Commercial League Champs! - Creek Rats, Oliver Nickiel, John Gargett and Sam Weiss model their secondhand TIGER sweaters – 1938 (above). Matt Keetley hoisting
the President’s Cup in 2007 (below left). Ryan Hollweg hoisting the President’s Cup with the rest of the 2003-2004
Medicine Hat Tigers team in 2004 (below right).
10
Major Team Accomplishments and
Highlights for the Tigers Include:
ȚȚ October 4, 1970 – Tigers Play Their First
Western Canada Hockey League Game
ȚȚ 5 Times Western Hockey League Champions –
1972-73, 1986-87, 1987-88, 2003-04, 2006-07
ȚȚ2 Times Memorial Cup Champions – 1986-87,
1987-88 (Both Teams Inducted into Alberta
Sport Hall of Fame)
ȚȚ Over 700 Players Have Worn the Orange and
Black of the Tigers
ȚȚ111 players have been drafted into the NHL
ȚȚ 60 players have had NHL careers
ȚȚTom Lysiak WCHL Scoring Champion in
1971-72 and 1972-73
ȚȚ Linden Vey WHL and CHL Scoring Champion
in 2010-11
ȚȚ Willie Desjardins Named WHL and CHL Coach
of the Year in 2005-06
ȚȚ Kris Russell Named WHL and CHL Top
Defenseman in 2005-06
1987-1988 Medicine Hat Tigers Memorial Cup Champions (above). Trevor Linden battles for position in the
slot against the Hull Stingrays in the 1987 Memorial Cup
Championship (left.)
11
Hockey Town
ȚȚ Many Tigers Have Gone on to Post-Secondary
Education After Their Junior Playing Days
Funded By the Medicine Hat Tigers Education
Fund Society
Prominent Tigers Alumni:
ȚȚ Hockey Hall of Fame Member – Lanny
McDonald
ȚȚ Deeply Ingrained into the Fabric of the
Community of Medicine Hat with Countless
Hours of Community Relations and Charitable
Fundraising
ȚȚ CBC’s Hockey Night In Canada Analyst – Kelly
Hrudey
ȚȚ FANtastic Local Support of Our Franchise with
330 Consecutive Regular Season Home Game
Sellouts
ȚȚ Order of Canada Recipient and Former
Vancouver Canucks Captain – Trevor Linden
Tigers play by play announcer, Bob Ridley (below), has
called every single Tigers radio broadcast since 1970, except for one. Inducted into Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in
2000, he has amassed more than 1 Million miles as Tigers’
bus driver. Most recently honored for his 3000th regular
season broadcast.
ȚȚ ESPN’s Hockey Tonight Analyst – Barry
Melrose
ȚȚ Detroit Red Wings – Ken Holland, General
Manager – Jim Nill, Assistant GM – Chris
Osgood, Goaltending Development Coach –
Darren Helm, Player
ȚȚ Current NHL Iron Man Streak – Jay
Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames
ȚȚToronto Maple Leafs – Joffrey Lupul, Clarke
MacArthur
ȚȚ Dallas Stars Associate Coach – Willie
Desjardins
ȚȚ New York Islanders Assistant Coach – Dean
Chynoweth
ȚȚ Philadelphia Flyers Assistant Coach – Craig
Berube
ȚȚ University of Alberta Hospital Chief Resident –
Dr. Blair St. Martin
2006-2007 Medicine Hat Tigers
– WHL Champions (right).
12
Medicine Hat Minor Hockey
The Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association serves
almost 1,000 players ranging in age from Timbits
to Midgets, including AAA and AA male and
female teams.
Medicine Hat Minor Hockey’s directional statements are the basis of all that we are trying to
accomplish with our players, coaches and parents
over the course of their minor hockey experience.
The purpose is “to develop leaders through the
enjoyment of hockey.”
Minor Hockey strives to instill strong core values for
all of our membership to follow. The vision as an
association is to be a national leader in developing
life champions.
Through constant and consistent education of its
members, the organization endeavors to produce
not only great hockey players, coaches and parents
but great people who, just by going through the
minor hockey process, make Medicine Hat a great
place to live. Minor Hockey is an important part of
the growing community.
Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds
The Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds organization
was established in 1972 and is currently celebrating
its 40th anniversary.
It began as a booster club for the Medicine Hat
Tigers, with its members performing many fundraising and support functions for the team.
Over the years the direction of the club has
evolved, while maintaining its reputation as a
well-respected non-profit organization within the
community. The main purpose is the promotion
and development of hockey in Medicine Hat and
area. Their fundraising efforts have contributed
over $2 million dollars back into the hockey community in the form of team sponsorships, scholarships, leadership seminars, tournaments, coaches
club and local hockey facilities. Their mandate also
includes a project called ”Hardship” which assists
families that are less fortunate and need assistance
with registration fees.
The club is renowned for hosting the Medicine
Hat Hockey Hounds Bantam AAA Hockey Tournament which is considered one of the most premier
tournaments in western Canada. Many WHL and
NHL stars have made their way through this tournament.
Junior B Cubs
The Medicine Hat Cubs Junior B Hockey program
was established in 1973. It began as a feeder club to
the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers.
Over the years, the team has garnered nine Central
Alberta Junior Hockey League championships and
four International Junior Hockey League titles.
Notable Junior B Cubs include Murray Craven
and Blaine Lacher, former players in the National
Hockey League.
Recognizing the importance of education in the
development of their team, the Junior B Cubs
sponsors a scholarship each year for their player’s
tuition at the Medicine Hat College.
13
Hockey Town
Medicine Hat Arena
The Medicine Hat Arena is located on the edge of
Medicine Hat’s downtown core, comfortably situated on the south bank of the South Saskatchewan
River. Since it was built in 1970, after the previous
arena burned down unexpectedly, the Arena has
been home to the Medicine Hat Tigers of the
Western Hockey League.
First known as the “Smarty Box” for its 4,006 colorful seats, the Arena is now commonly known
as the “loudest barn in the DUB (WHL)” due to its
steep seating which allows the fans to become
part of the action.
14
Over the years, the Medicine Hat Arena has played
host to special events like the Canada Cup of
Curling, the Continental Cup of Curling, a satellite
broadcast for CTV’s Canadian Idol program, Monster Trucks, Circuses, concerts like Nickelback, and
much more.
The Arena is fully equipped for TV broadcasts,
production and meeting spaces, and fully licensed
food services.
Volunteer & Tourism Support
Volunteers
No major community event or organization can
exist without the dedication and commitment
from their volunteers.
Medicine Hat has a strong history of volunteers
that support various service clubs and organizations with a commitment to making the community strong. Volunteers take on various roles and
responsibilities ranging from executive positions,
all the way down to the regular ‘grunt’ work, all
in the spirit of making their community a better
place in which to live.
In previous events hosted by our community, over
3000 volunteers rallied to offer their services – all
reflecting their community pride – knowing their
work would long be remembered by those who
participated.
We look forward to volunteers ‘stepping up’ for
the Scotia Bank Hockey Day in Canada event. Our
success will be measured by the attitude and pride
demonstrated by each and every one!
We will be sure to make this event a memorable
one for CBC Sports, our City and our visitors!
Tourism
The Tourism Industry Group in Medicine Hat is a
very large and dynamic group of hockey-loving
professionals and organizations offering their
enthusiastic multi-disciplinary support for this
initiative. Tourism Medicine Hat will proudly
assist with the coordination of promotions and
marketing, and lending staff and other support
services to the Hockey Day in Canada committee.
The Medicine Hat Accommodation Association
is ready with more than 800 accredited rooms in
their member hotels, ready to host CBC representatives and the many visitors from Western Canada
who will enjoy being a part of this event.
15
Proposed Events
(schedule to be determined in cooperation with CBC)
Hockey Events
Noon Hour Street Hockey
Tournament & BBQ
Downtown Medicine Hat
duct skills clinics and camps for our minor hockey
membership, coaches and referees, right here in
our own backyard. Our association will provide the
resources to assist in hosting these events.,
We will encourage all downtown businesses to
wear hockey jerseys while their brightest and best
face-off in a street hockey competition right out
their front doors. This is an opportunity for alumni
participation and a visit with the Stanley Cup.
During the Hockey Day in Canada event, a number
of hockey Games will be scheduled to showcase
the variety of levels in Medicine Hat to include Tim
Bits - Atom, Rep level, Female and a Junior B Game.
CBC Shinny Game & Social
Medicine Hat Arena
Kinplex I
Medicine Hat Tigers are extremely proud to be
able to help support the bid to host 2013 CBC/Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada with the following
elements:
Show us what you got CBC!!! Hockey game hosted
by CBC and an opportunity to socialize with
invited guests.
Noon Hour Fire/Police Shinny
Medicine Hat Arena
Local Fire and Police Departments to host a noon
hour hockey game and invite NHL Alumni and a
visit from the Stanley Cup.
Medicine Hat Minor Hockey Association
Various local arenas
Medicine Hat Minor Hockey is excited to have the
once-in-a-life opportunity for NHL alumni, Female
Olympians and the Medicine Hat Tigers to con-
16
Medicine Hat Tigers Hockey Club
ȚȚ Players/Coaches Support where needed
for School Visits, Hockey Clinics, Coaches
Symposiums, etc.
ȚȚ Medicine Hat Tigers Alumni Game on
Saturday Afternoon.
›› Pre and/or Post Alumni Game - HOTSTOVE
- With Kelly Hrudey, Ron MacLean and
Medicine Hat’s Bob Ridley
ȚȚ Special Pre-Game Event Prior to WHL Game
on Saturday Night
ȚȚThe Western Hockey League is committed to
scheduling a regular season game during the
Hockey Day in Canada event, and will actively
promote the game through their markets
in western Canada using all of their regular
media platforms.
Cultural Events
One Act Play “Hockey Mums”
Crescent Heights High School Theatre. The high
school drama programs presents this one-act
play focusing on eight mothers in the stands at a
hockey game.
Ron MacLean Book Reading/
Hockey Movies
Esplanade Arts & Heritage
Centre Showcase
The Esplanade Art Gallery will commission local
artists to carve large ice sculptures on site showcasing a hockey/skating theme, including outdoor
lighting. This will also include a few ice sculptures
created by the Esplanade’s Esplanauts youth art
program. These will be unveiled during a “Winter
Art Walk.”
Medicine Hat Public Library. The Medicine Hat
Public Library invites Ron MacLean to read from his
new book, Cornered, in the Library Theatre. This
would be followed by a conversation with Bruce
Dowbiggin from the Globe and Mail and a reception. Books by both men would be available for
sale and signing following the program.
The Esplanade Museum will feature a touring
exhibition from the Canadian Museum of Civilization entitled “Profit and Ambition: The Canadian
Fur Trade 1179-1821.”
Local Theatre Events
The Esplanade Theatre will invite Dave Bidini to
recruit some of his Alberta-based musical peers to
help him create another work that mashes music
with Canada’s infatuation with Hockey. This production will be presented at the Esplanade Arts
and Heritage Centre during Hockey Day in Canada.
Hometown theatre groups may take on a fun
public game called “Random Acts of Don Cherry”
where actors dress up as Don Cherry and pop up
in various locations throughout the city. The public
will be encouraged to spot them and take a picture to submit to the Medicine Hat News, and the
best impersonator will be invited onstage during
the Hockey Night in Canada Concert Event.
First Nations Metis
First Nations Metis & Inuit Education will commit
to the following activities that can be combined
with other community events: Lacrosse game,
Pow Wow Dancing, drumming and singing. A
Tipi and Metis village can be constructed hosting
aboriginal Elders, entertainers, and dignitaries.
The Esplanade Archives will feature an exhibition of historical photographs of ice hockey in
Medicine Hat.
Calling out to Alberta-based musicians across the
province, we will conduct a Hockey Day in Canada
songwriting contest, with the top five songwriters
joining us at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage
Centre for the final judging by the fans. Songwriters will also be asked to perform their songs in
venues across the city (cafés, malls, senior centre’s),
garnering grassroots support for their songs. We
will have celebrity judges, and an online poll that
will all play in role in choosing the best Hockey Day
in Canada song.
17
The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre will also
recruit some of the most notable entertainers in
Alberta for a special one night concert, celebrating
Alberta artists who have written songs that have
defined Alberta and Canada. Notables like Ian
Tyson, Corb Lund, Amos Garrett, and Jann Arden
will be invited to perform for our special Hockey
Day in Canada concert. All of the above mentioned artists have previously performed at the
Esplanade, which is a world class cultural centre,
winning national awards for its acoustic design.
The centre has played host to such luminaries as
Peter Frampton, Tom Cochrane, Pat Benatar, the
AB Ballet, Calgary Philarmonic Orchestra, STOMP
and the spectacular Blue Man Group.
Educational Events
Alberta Sport Development
Centre - Winning Edge Seminars
Medicine Hat School District # 76 and
Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education
Various Schools: These two local school districts
will showcase their many schools and diverse
programs, through art, music, sport and educational opportunities that would engage students
in meaningful, enjoyable activities. Inviting NHL
Alumni, Medicine Hat Tigers, and a visit from the
Stanley Cup to share in a variety of opportunities
Special Events
Chamber of Commerce
Corporate Luncheon
Medalta Potteries
The Chamber of Commerce will host a corporate
luncheon that will highlight NHL Alumni, Female
Olympians, special dignitaries and community
leaders.
Medicine Hat College
VIP/Sponsorship Reception
Winning Edge Seminars are educational opportunities held within Medicine Hat for local athletes,
coaches and parents for providing knowledge,
motivation and guidance. This event would provide a unique opportunity for arranging speakers
and capturing a broad audience.
Studio Theatre – Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
Open Mic Q & A with Peter Mansbridge
In conjunction with the Hockey Day in Canada
Concert - NHL Alumni, CBC representatives and
sponsors, invited guests will share in a reception of
thanks for their contribution to the event.
Breakfast of Champions – Hosted
by Mayor Norm Boucher
Medicine Hat College
Medicine Hat Lodge
This would be an opportunity for Political Science
students, local Media and the general public to
share in the wisdom and experience of Peter
Mansbridge.
An opportunity for NHL Alumni and Ron MacLean
to share with guests some of their favorite stories.
18
Community Banquet/Silent Auction
Winter Festival
Medicine Hat Exhibition &
Stampede - Cypress Centre
Medicine Hat College
The Medicine Hat Hockey Hounds organization
will host a community banquet for up to 1,200
patrons, including a silent auction in support of
minor hockey associations in and around Medicine Hat. A visit from the Stanley Cup, NHL Alumni
and Olympians, Ron MacLean and Don Cherry
would highlight this once in life time opportunity
for many Medicine Hatters and visitors.
The Medicine Hat College has offered to transfer
all funding and resources normally allocated to
their annual fall Homecoming event to celebrate
a Winter “Frostival” in honour of Hockey Day in
Canada.
We would consider this community event to be
Ron MacLean’s outdoor broadcast venue, with the
majority of our outdoor programming hosted as
part of this festival location. The Medicine Hat College property features an outdoor pond, perfect
for a hockey tournament, while also providing a
scenic backdrop for outdoor concerts, and other
fun outdoor events. The Medicine Hat College
students, alumni, faculty and staff, will host this fun
filled day.
19
Canadian Forces Base & British
Army Training Unit Suffield
Ralston
Located 20 minutes from Medicine Hat, are
the Canadian Forces Base and the British Army
Training Unit Suffield. This is the largest Canadian
Forces Base and the largest Commonwealth military training base in the world. Also located there
is the Defense Research Establishment Suffield
– a training facility for carrying out experiments in
chemical warfare.
Historically, on August 25, 1971, the Canadian Government ratified a ten-year agreement with the
British Government that allowed the British Armed
Forces to use the northern three-quarters of the
Suffield Block. On December 1, 1971, Canadian
Forces Base Suffield (CFB Suffield) was officially
created and allocated to Mobile Command. By
January 1972, the British Army Training Unit Suffield
(BATUS) was established and the first live round
was fired by a battlegroup from the 4th Royal Tank
Regiment (4th RTR) on July 15, 1972. British Army
training has continued at Suffield since 1971, with
the shared-use agreement being extended several
times (made indefinite in 2006).
The Ralston Arena is the home for hockey for all
military, civilians, and spouses – inviting two
nations to play together.
20
Soldiers posted here are provided one week of
Skate School and one week of Hockey School by
the Canadian Personnel Support Program staff.
With the Canadians showing and teaching their
love of hockey, the following hockey leagues have
been established at the military base:
ȚȚ Mess League: (international mix of CF & UK
military and civilians)
ȚȚ BATUS Hockey League
ȚȚ3 Ladies Teams (2 Ralston Devils teams & 1
Angels (All Star) team
ȚȚ Ralston Wildcats – Minor Hockey Program
During 2013 Hockey Day in Canada, CFB &
BATUS would like to have the honor to host
Honorary Member of the Princes Patricia’s
Canadian Light Infantry – Don Cherry,
Ron MacLean, CBC Sports, NHL Alumni,
and their community to join them for an
afternoon of hockey and military events.
Images courtesy of Esplanade Archives, Medicine
Hat News and Hide Away Studios Inc.
Medicine Hat Bid Committee
Mayor Normand Boucher
Alderman Jeremy Thompson
Ron Webb, Commissioner of Public Services
Dave Andjelic, Medicine Hat Tigers
Brian Varga, Medicine Hat Minor Hockey
Association
Glenda Leitch, Tourism Medicine Hat
Varley Weisman, Recreation & Leisure Services
Natalie Sauer, Recreation & Leisure Services
For any questions
or further information,
please contact
Natalie Sauer
natsau@medicinehat.ca
or 403.529.8344