The Canadian National Canoe Polo Championships will be hosted in Innisfail this summer.
Council agreed April 9 to allow the Cottonwood Kayak Club to host the event July 14 and 15 at Dodd's Lake as well as use the area for training and coaching the week leading up to the competition.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of Innisfail as sporting capital of Canada,” said Narsh Ramrattan, president of the Cottonwood Kayak Club to council April 10. Based on numbers from last year's championship event, he anticipates about 55 to 60 athletes and entourage will travel to Innisfail for the event.
He said the club would need to purchase docks for the game and said the playing field would takes up about 30 metres by 50 metres.
“It's a game of five on five with nets about three metres above the surface of the water. It's kind of like hockey and basketball in kayaks,” he said.
“That sounds great,” said Coun. Derek Baird before council unanimously approved the use of the lake.
Ramrattan said the docks would be removed in the winter so they aren't damaged by the weather.
After council he explained that the club will host the men's championships but said they may be able to host the women's competition as well, bringing in even more people to Innisfail. He said that is yet to be determined.
He added anyone looking to volunteer or sponsor can call 403-227-1135.
