INNISFAIL – With the COVID-19 pandemic creating havoc on the timetables of every social and cultural local event, the town was finally able to honour the winners of the 2020 Community Awards.
Usually held in big gala form at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, the 2020 event had to settle for a small scale but heartfelt presentation at town council, which was broadcast live through a Zoom feed.
Three of the seven winners were honoured at council’s regular meeting on Feb. 22, with another four scheduled for council’s March 8 meeting.
Kane Williams, the town’s recreation program coordinator, began the presentation by noting the annual awards are a joint effort by the Town of Innisfail and the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce, with support from the local organizing and nomination committees.
He then introduced the first of three winners for 2020. Well known local musician Devin Cooper is the winner of the Community Arts & Culture Award.
“Known for his singing, song writing and prowess with a guitar, he showed ability early in life – picking up a guitar at the age of seven,” said Williams, noting the 24-year-old’s many accomplishments and awards, including those from the YYC Music Awards and Country Music Alberta’s Awards in 2018 and 2020.
However, Kane also noted Cooper’s commitment to the community, volunteering with his musical talent at the local hospital since the age of seven, and his Ride to Remember’ initiative the past two years that has raised thousands of dollars for citizens afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.
“This award is presented to me but it’s really for everybody in the town who have supported me over the years, and continues to support me and the great programs in the town, and this is for everybody who has been part of that,” said Cooper after Mayor Jim Romane presented him with his award.
The next award was handed to Jon Weddell, a local hockey and lacrosse coach since 2017, who earned the 2020 Coach Recognition Award.
“He always has the athlete’s best interests in mind,” said Williams. “He is kind, knowledgeable and dedicated to his kids. Sportsmanship and teamwork are the centre of his coaching style.”
Weddell, who was not physically present at council, accepted his award through Zoom. He said the award was really a reflection of the commitment from many people to ensure success and development for the kids.
“Being a coach, you are the one who is in the spotlight and takes the highlight reels sometimes but there are a lot of people behind the scenes in lacrosse and hockey and every other minor sport - other coaches, parents and the kids, corporate sponsors within the town, and none of it functions without all those pieces of the puzzle working together,” said Weddell, whose coaching and mentorship skills also helped the Innisfail Atom B Flyers, the winner of the 2020 Team of the Year Award.
Williams said the Flyers, who he called an “amazing group of young athletes”, had an accomplished season. He said the team was invited to the provincial championships. However, the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Accepting the coveted Team of the Year Award were Craig Nelson, the head coach of the Flyers and Blake Boomer, the 11-year-old team captain.
“I like to say thank you to the town for having these awards. It’s a real breath of fresh air given the global way of things. It’s nice to celebrate those things,” said Nelson. “A lot of coaches will go through their whole career coaching hockey and never see provincials. This team went to provincials and that is pretty incredible.”
When the presentations continue on March 8, Sarah Gette will be honoured with the 2020 Female Athlete of the Year Award and Kyle Baumgardt will receive Male Athlete of the Year honours.
Samantha Olson has been chosen the winner of the 2020 Leaders of Tomorrow Award, and Brent Jackson has won Citizen of the Year honours.
