Brief Sports Bid Committee History: 1998 - 2009

The Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee was formed in 1998 to assist local sport organizations' bid for major sport competitions and develop the city's bid for major provincial and national multi-sport competitions. The forming process came about through an ad hoc committee consisting of Dr. Gary Bowie, Mal Clewes, Carol Gerner, Jane Kremeniuk, Herman Maltz, Brent Seely, and Carol Thibert. Through their endeavors the sport community gave their approval making it possible for the first AGM to be held January 25, 1999, followed by City Council support at their February 22, 1999 meeting. Through shared expertise and planning, the Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee has assisted, supported, and influenced the sport community in bidding for major sporting events and in helping plan the development of new community sport facilities.

Over the past thirty years, Lethbridge has proudly hosted such prestigious events as The Canada Winter Games, Skate Canada, Alberta Summer Games, Alberta Winter Games, Alberta Senior Games, The Scotties Tournament of Hearts, National Slo-Pitch Championships, swimming, judo, hockey, basketball tournaments, and Canadian Pro-Golf - just to scratch the surface. With first class facilities, and a strong volunteer spirit, we can host many more.

In 2000, there was a planned turnover in Board personal to bring on new members with the organization. As part of keeping the organization moving forward it was identified
in the 2001 Sports Bid Committee marketing plan the need to become

• an advocate for sports,
• to increase the awareness of sport opportunities in the community, and
• to establish a stronger link with sport organizations.

To do this, the Sports Bid Committee determined that it needed to create a Sport Council. Lethbridge City Council recognized the importance of sport and identified the need for a Civic Sport Policy in 2004.

Brian Bourassa lead a Strategic Planning process that included information workshops, community consultation sessions (Future Search Conference), and consultation with an ‘experts' panel to identify future trends. The document "In Pursuit of a Preferred Future" was written - from which the City of Lethbridge Sport and Recreation Policy was adopted in 2007, recognizing the Lethbridge Sport Council as an independent body to be the unified voice of sport.

• Responsibilities of Lethbridge Sport Council as identified in the City of Lethbridge Sport and Recreation Policy:
• Provide leadership for the enhancements and development of sports in Lethbridge
• Advocate for sport and promote sport in Lethbridge
• Attract and promote sports events that have economic and other benefits to Lethbridge and region
• Assist sport organizations and individuals by linking them to, or providing then with, sport-related education and support services (ie bidding process, resources, etc)
• Provide benefits to members including and not limited to: training, volunteer organization assistance, research and information sharing and media awareness
• Provide input to the development of sport and recreation needs addressed in the Municipal Capital Improvement Program and the Operating Budget
• To communicate to City Council any issues, challenges or initiatives related to sport on an as required basis.

Over the past seven years, an active role of the Sports Bid Committee has been working towards the establishment of the Lethbridge Sport Council, which has now come to fruition. The Sports Bid Committee now works as one of three sub-committees of the newly established Lethbridge Sport Council.

The mandate of the Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee is to help community groups put together a professional well-thought-out bid by providing:

• Expertise in putting the bid together
• Bid package development and samples
• Information on amenities, accommodations, and facilities in Lethbridge
• Financial assistance for the bid
• A link to volunteers, experience, and support systems

Since the Sports Bid Committee's inception their primary role is to write and submit bids for major sport competitions. To date 7 bids have been submitted, 6 were successful:

1. 2001 Alberta Senior Games - successful
2. 2005 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games - successful
3. 2005 World Under 17 Hockey Challenge - successful
4. 2005 Alberta Native Hockey Championships - successful
5. 2006 Southern Alberta Summer Games - successful
6. 2007 Western Canada Summer Games
7. 2009 55 Plus Games - successful

Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee also had representatives sit on the following Bid Advisory Committees to develop bids for consideration by City Council or provide letters of support:

1. 2000 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships
2. 2000 Prairie Baseball League and Millennium Series
3. 2000 International Ice Hockey Junior Hockey Championships
4. 2004 Memorial Cup
5. 2003 Canadian Senior Men's and Women's Curling Championships
6. 2006 CCAA Women's Basketball Championship
7. 2007 Scotties Tournament of Hearts
8. 2008 American Legion Baseball Regional Tournament

As such the Lethbridge Sports Bid Committee has had representation on Advisory Committees for facility development. To date LSBC has been involved in two such ventures:

1. The 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness, 2000
2. Community Sport Stadium at the University of Lethbridge, 2004, a multi-sport field for track and field, soccer, football, and rugby that was completed in 2009.

On March, 2008 the ASRPWF announced support to the development of the Alberta Sport Development Centre - Southwest. A partnership was developed between the City of Lethbridge and ASRPWF with a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College. A Board of Directors was formed with the following members: Gary Bowie, Jocken Bocksnick, Sandy Slavin, Mark Kosak, Carol Thibert, Travis Grindle, Shawn Purder, Dawn Berry, Gary Mills, Alison Pilsner, Lori Chaki Farrington, and Clark Bosch. Travis Grindle was hired in 2008 as the Executive Director providing quality leadership in program development. In 2009 Jim Steacy was hired as Program Facilitator to oversee the Athlete Enhancement Program.

During the breginning months of 2010 the Sports Bid Committee was successfully rewarded the Lethbridge 2012 Alberta Summer Games, 2011 Football Canada Cup, and 2010-2012 Junior Little League Canadian Championship, all supported by Lethbridge City Council.