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| One of Canada’s favourite winter sports? These hockey players would
probably agree. Here they are playing on one of the outdoor rinks in the Bear Creek Valley
in the town of Grande Prairie around 1945 SPRA 1969.59.373, Pioneer Museum Society of Grande Prairie & District
fonds (001). |
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| Here’s a sport that can be done summer or winter. The choice of season
is a little more crucial at this pool though! These kids are taking advantage of the
summer weather swimming in Grande Prairie’s outdoor pool around 1961. SPRA 0371.05.03.04, Grande Prairie Women’s Institute fonds (371). |
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Even if you aren’t participating, spectating can be just as much fun. If
you’re the losing wrestler, spectating might even be preferable! Here’s Wallace
Caldwell and an opponent wrestling at the Sturgeon Lake Sports Day in the early 1940s.
SPRA 175.033.2, Valleyview & District Chamber of Commerce
Millennium Photograph collection (175). |
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| Dedicated
fans are not afraid of a little cold weather, either. Here they are around 1920 watching
Kyrre Livelton land a 137 foot jump. The ski jump on the west bank of Bear Creek, south
west of the town of Grande Prairie, was a popular site for this sport. SPRA 1969.59.317, Pioneer
Museum Society of Grande Prairie & District fonds (001). |
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| Or
maybe you prefer a quiet ski with a friend, just enjoying nature and away from all the
noisy crowds. Here’s Charlie Wales and Allen Drysdale out for a cross-country ski
around 1980. SPRA 2007.37.18, Wales family fonds
(281). |
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| Summer
sports like baseball are lots of fun too. At bat or in the field, these children seem to
be having a good time playing in the Sexsmith schoolyard in 1952. SPRA 2009.31.04, Art
Menzies family fonds (343). |
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| School
is also a great place to develop your gymnastic abilities. Here’s the Gimle School
Gymnastics Group, Miss Robson's silver cup gym class, posing outside of their school in
1947. Top L-R: Jack Hommy, Johnnie Hommy. Middle
L-R: Dawn Hommy, Phyllis Larson, Milton Hommy, Gwen Hommy, Dennis Dick. Bottom L-R: Jack Hersher, Frances Sexton, Wayne
Hommy. SPRA 0388.01.10, Milton Hommy Family fonds
(388). |
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| Here’s more successful
athletes, this time in curling. Spirit River’s curling champs Gerald Blonski, Elaine
Harrington, Romana Purcell and Harry Beamer pose inside the Wanham Curling Rink in 1951. SPRA 018.03.60, Birch Hills Historical Society fonds (018). |
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