Martial arts seem like a natural extension for an active community like Sundre that offers natural trails, an indoor pool and fitness centre, as well as a variety of sports programs ranging from hockey to soccer.
However, there would be no local dojo if it weren't for the contribution of the Sundre Elks hall's basement, said Perry Stokalko, a local black belt martial arts instructor with many years of experience, who runs the Shindo Kempho (pronounced Kempo) Karate program which he founded about 15 years ago.
“This is not a business, this is strictly a volunteer sports club — all the revenue goes back to sponsoring kids in the community,” he said, adding the local youth who get involved in the martial arts program learn about leadership and that some go on to pursue paths including sports medicine, kinesiology and policing.
High school students can even earn credits by training in the program. That's all made possible courtesy of the Sundre Elks, who offer their support by making available a facility as well as through sponsorships, he said.
Throughout the economic downturn, the martial arts program has been sponsoring more students than it is making income, and the Elks Club has “been very graceful for allowing us to use the facility for half of what we usually pay,” he said.
During such challenging times, many groups are cutting back, but the Elks have increased their contribution and should be recognized, he said, adding the community organization also makes its hall's basement available to a refit sports club and a kids kick-boxing program.
“They're doing something that's amazing, and they don't ask for any accolades for it,” he said.
“They've been such a tremendous driving force for kids in the community.”
Equipment for martial arts programs represents a significant cost, and the Elks also help out in that regard. But without the facility, “we don't have anything,” he said.
Five evenings a week, there's something going on at the Elks hall's basement, which was converted into a martial arts studio from an old bar about eight years ago. The location is the club's third home following some time in a dance studio near the Sundre museum, which was outgrown, as well as the Bergen Hall, he said.
Stokalko, who was once flown over to Japan for more than a year to represent Canada, is also a ranked kick-boxing coach, and can train students in that discipline as well as boxing, karate and wrestling.
When he was younger, Stokalko, who started training as a martial artist in 1984, said he had been sponsored in a similar way through the help of a sensei and a club, and he wanted to establish a volunteer program in the community to pay it forward.
This year, the program has about 90 youths involved.
“It's an amazing number for a small community,” said Stokalko, adding he knows bigger martial arts centres in larger communities that have smaller numbers.
The instructor said he feels lucky to be a part of the local martial arts program, but added it all stems from the availability of the space at the Elks hall's basement.
“If the Elks weren't doing that, I couldn't do this.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about Sundre's martial arts program can reach Stokalko at 403-636-0409.
