Calgary celebrated Sport in Calgary with the 2nd annual Mayors Breakfast Honouring Sport in Calgary. The high profile event was well attended with well over 300 people in attendance.
The Calgary Sport Council, a volunteer nonprofit society representing sport in the City of Calgary, put on the event as a fundraiser but also as a means of increasing the profile of local athletes.
"The Mayor’s Breakfast Honouring Sport is not only an opportunity to celebrate elite athletes that live and train in Calgary, it also allows and promotes a connection between elite athletes, young aspiring athletes and members of Calgary’s business community" said Calgary Sport Council's Tim Bjornson.
Among those in attendance were 84 athletes - 38 Elite and 46 Grassroots - that included the likes of former NHL-er Kelly Hrudey, golfer Stephen Ames, Sheldon Kennedy, and a host of Olympians such as Duff Gibson, Kyle Shewfelt, Catriona Le may Doan, and more.
CBC's Doug Dirks emceed the event along with young athletes Yuval Toren and Allison Long. After Mayor Dave Bronconnier addressed the audience, capped by an impersonation of a late night talk show personality, a host of speakers, including Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong and Gold Medallist Duff Gibson, spoke about their personal connection to sport and its importance to our communities.
"The Mayor’s Breakfast Honouring Sport in Calgary provides the Calgary Sport Council an opportunity to advocate the value and benefits of the sporting experience and its direct relationship to active living and community well being" added Bjornson.
In addition to Mayor Bronconnier's Top Ten list, he also made a breaking announcement regarding City business.
City Council has approved:
- The Calgary Civic Sport Policy Strategic Plan and Financial Strategy.
- The Calgary Sport Council’s Implementation Plan in principle, with the request for annual operating budget funding of $250,000 to be included in the 2006 November operating budget adjustment process for Council’s consideration.
- The Calgary Sport Tourism Authority’s Strategic Plan in principle, with the request for a one-time operating budget funding of $150,000 in each year, 2007 and 2008, to be included in the 2006 November operating budget adjustment process for Council’s consideration.
