Southern Alberta Summer Games successful in 2013

With the exception of a catastrophic hail storm on Friday night, the 2013 Southern Alberta Summer Games were a resounding success for the community.

“I think we were fortunate we had some sunny days, and lots of participants,” said Aline Holmen, leisure services manager with the Town of Taber. “I think overall, the Games were a huge success.”

A massive cloudburst of rain and hail on Friday — apart from causing limited flooding and flattening fields throughout the area — had organizers and staff scrambling to get facilities ship-shape in Bristol fashion.

“We didn’t have any major glitches, with the exception of the hail storm. All and all, I have to say the volunteers and town staff pulled together to make sure the events could still happen on Saturday. The only event that didn’t go was archery. I know M.D. of Taber staff worked to get the M.D. of Taber Park open again for beach volleyball. Town staff — the arena was flooded — so they worked all night so that ball hockey could continue. We’re fortunate that way,” said Holmen.

As predicted, the volunteer situation was taken care of at the eleventh hour with an abrupt influx.

“We ended up with all of the volunteers that we needed, people really stepped forward and helped us with that,” said Holmen. “No Games are ever perfect, and we had a few little glitches along the way, but we overcame them and moved on. Overall, I think it was a really good Games.”

Visitors to the community were impressed by the condition of the facilities in Taber and the M.D. of Taber, according to Holmen.

“I though we were very organized and prepared. I thought the town and the M.D. of Taber, all of the facilities looked fantastic. We received a lot of positive comment on how clean and groomed all of our fields were.”

The 2014 Southern Alberta Summer Games are scheduled to be held in Pincher Creek.