Sask Games History
In 1972, Attorney‑General Roy Romanow, then the Minister in charge of the Saskatchewan Youth Agency, attended the first Sask Sport annual meeting. His announcement to the delegates fulfilled a dream for many people working in amateur sport in Saskatchewan; the Saskatchewan Games would soon become a reality. If Saskatchewan was to maintain a respectable position in sport competitions, it was necessary to provide an incentive and competitive development program for its athletes.
The province was divided into eight Games zones, with Saskatoon and Regina each considered individual zones. Each zone would hold play downs and select a team to represent them. Expectations were that approximately 1,500 athletes would attend the Games with over 10,000 participants involved in the zone competitions leading up to the Games.
Areas of responsibility were outlined. Zones would be responsible for selecting their teams and bringing them to the Games site. Provincial Sport Organizations would determine the class and rules governing the competition. The department of Culture and Youth would work with the various zone committees, sport organizations and with the host community in the planning and operation of the Games.
To encourage a province‑wide involvement in hosting the Saskatchewan Games, the cities of Regina and Saskatoon were declared ineligible to host the Games, as these centres would have the ability to host other major events such as the Canada Games.
Four Saskatchewan cities submitted applications to host the first-ever Saskatchewan Summer Games in 1972. Moose Jaw was selected and formed an organization to prepare for the event. The 16 sports for the first Saskatchewan Games held August 31st to September 3rd, 1972 included: baseball, canoeing, cycling, diving, field hockey, lacrosse, lawn bowling, rowing, shooting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, water polo and water skiing.
The Games were a success and set the stage for the first Saskatchewan Winter Games. Three cities bid for the Games. The Site Selection Committee recommended North Battleford. The 1974 Games were held March 4th to 9th and involved 14 sports: badminton, fencing, figure skating, gymnastics, handgun, hockey, judo, skiing, speed skating, synchronized swimming, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
The concept of the Games had proven successful. One cycle had been completed with biennial Games staged alternately in summer and winter.
The majority of sports had participants from every zone. As well, the number of participants in each sport increased at the provincial level as a result of the Games. The cycle began again, with the 1976 Saskatchewan Summer Games being awarded to Swift Current. The opening ceremonies highlighted the strong community support given to the Games as 5,000 people filled the Exhibition Grandstand. 1,532 athletes, coaches and managers participated in Swift Current after being selected from the zone play downs.
The 18 sports that participated at the 1976 Saskatchewan Summer Games August 10th to 15th included: archery, baseball, canoeing, cycling, diving, equestrian, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, trapshooting, water polo and water skiing.
The second cycle was completed when Moose Jaw again hosted the Saskatchewan Winter Games in 1978. The event was staged from February 16th to 29th with 18 sports on the calendar: alpine ski, badminton, basketball, bowling, boxing, cross country ski, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, speed skating, synchronized swimming, table tennis, team handball, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
Zone committees and the next host community, Estevan, prepared for the Summer Games, which were held from July 21st to 26th, 1980. The Summer Games included 16 sports: archery, baseball, diving, equestrian, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, trapshooting, water polo and water skiing.
The 1982 Saskatchewan Games were held in Prince Albert. For the first time, the Games were held in conjunction with a cultural event; The Prince Albert Trappers' Festival. Prince Albert hosted the Games from February 20th to 27th and the sport calendar included: alpine skiing, badminton, basketball, 5 pin bowling, boxing, broomball, cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, ringette, synchronized swimming, table tennis, team handball, volleyball and Olympic wrestling.
For the second time since the Games cycle began, the city of North Battleford hosted the 1984 Summer Games. These Games incorporated Special Olympics athletes as part of the track and field events. Points accumulated by the Special Olympics athletes contributed towards the overall point standings. Sports included in the 1984 Games Calendar included: archery, baseball, canoeing, golfing, horseshoes, lawn bowling, sailing, soccer, softball, shooting, swimming, tennis, track and field and water polo.
The newly reorganized Zone Sport Councils and the host city of Yorkton conducted a very successful 1986 Saskatchewan Winter Games. This first-time opportunity for Zone 4 to host a Games proved very beneficial to their overall sport development. The Winter Games included 16 sports: badminton, basketball, biathlon skiing, 5 pin bowling, boxing, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, ringette, speed skating, synchro swimming, team handball, volleyball and weightlifting.
Melfort, Saskatchewan’s newest incorporated city, hosted the 1988 Saskatchewan Summer Games. The construction of new facilities in softball, baseball, tennis, shooting, track and field, and soccer contributed to a high standard of competition. Sports included in the 1988 Saskatchewan Summer Games were: cycling, shooting, tennis, track and field, water skiing, canoeing, golf, soccer, equestrian, swimming, baseball and softball.
The smallest Saskatchewan city, Melville, hosted the 1990 Saskatchewan Winter Games. The 1,500 enthusiastic, innovative and dedicated volunteers successfully hosted over 1,800 athletes in 15 sports: badminton, basketball, 5 pin bowling, boxing, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, ringette, speed skating, team handball, volleyball, karate and cross‑country skiing.
Prince Albert, also a second-time Games host, was awarded the 1992 Saskatchewan Summer Games which were held August 9th to 15th, 1992. These highly successful Games left the City of Prince Albert with a legacy of major capital improvements including an all-weather track and a new baseball diamond. The enthusiasm and cooperation generated by over 1,500 volunteers created a provincial impact for Prince Albert. Baseball, cycling, synchronized swimming, soccer, softball, tennis, water skiing, canoeing, golf, equestrian, rifle shooting and track and field (including Special Olympics) were on the sport calendar.
Kindersley, the first town to host a Saskatchewan Games, hosted the 1994 Saskatchewan Winter Games from February 13th to 19th, 1994. The local community spirit and inter-community cooperation with the Towns of Rosetown and Stranraer created a warm and hospitable feeling throughout the province. A legacy of facilities and equipment have been left in the communities which have enhanced sport development throughout the area. Athletes in gymnastics, ringette, figure skating, volleyball, wrestling, cross country skiing (including Special Olympics), curling, badminton, bowling (including Special Olympics), hockey, karate, speed skating (including Special Olympics) and alpine skiing participated.
Moose Jaw became the first community to host the Saskatchewan Games for the third time when it hosted the 1996 Saskatchewan Summer Games from August 4th to 10th, 1996. The city’s first- class facilities, centralized athlete services, strong community and corporate support proved once again the city’s capacity for high-quality event hosting. Moose Jaw hosted athletes participating in archery, athletics (including Special Olympics), baseball, basketball, canoeing, cycling, field hockey, golf, equestrian, horseshoe, lawn bowling, rowing, rugby, soccer, softball, shooting, swimming (including Special Olympics), synchronized swimming, tennis, trapshooting, water skiing and water polo.
Nipawin, the second town to host a Saskatchewan Games program, hosted the 1998 Saskatchewan Winter Games from February 22nd to 28th, 1998. As the smallest community to ever host the Games, the host committee involved the entire community in all aspects of planning and organizing. The village atmosphere created a friendly, hospitable environment which left all participants with fond memories of Nipawin. The 1998 Saskatchewan Winter Games included 13 sports: biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, judo, ringette, volleyball, air pistol, alpine skiing, hockey, speed skating, table tennis and weightlifting.
Yorkton, having previously hosted the 1986 Saskatchewan Winter Games, once again played host to the 2000 Saskatchewan Summer Games from July 23rd to 29th, 2000. The first Games of the new millennium included over 2,000 volunteers and 1,800 athletes, coaches and managers. Sports included in the 2000 Saskatchewan Summer Games were: athletics, baseball, basketball, canoe/kayak, equestrian, golf, inter-lacrosse, soccer, softball, speed swimming, synchronized swimming, tennis and one demonstration sport: beach volleyball. Zone 9 made their first appearance at the 2000 Saskatchewan Summer Games, participating in athletics, canoe/kayak, soccer and softball.
Humboldt played host to the 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games, February 17th to 23rd, 2002. Sports taking part in the 2002 Saskatchewan Winter Games included: volleyball, figure skating, wrestling, speed skating, hockey, table tennis, badminton, curling, bowling, biathlon, weightlifting, gymnastics as well as Special Olympic bowling and cross-country skiing.
Weyburn hosted the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games from August 8th to 14th, 2004. Sports included: athletics, baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, softball, speed swimming, synchronized swimming, tennis, cycling and archery. A new athletics track was built adjacent to the Weyburn Comprehensive School, leaving the city and surrounding communities with a high-quality facility that has drawn many athletics events to Weyburn in the years since.
Melfort, second-time hosts of the Saskatchewan Games, hosted the 2006 Saskatchewan Winter Games from February 12th to 18th, 2006. Sports included alpine skiing, curling (male, female and Special Olympics), figure skating, hockey, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, air pistol, badminton, bowling (including Special Olympics), cross-country skiing, judo and speed skating. A well organized and enthusiastic host committee did an excellent job in embracing the entire community, ensuring a legacy of facilities, equipment and a core of community leaders were left for years to come.
Lloydminster, the border city, hosted the 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games from August 2nd to 9th, 2008. Sports included athletics (including Special Olympics), cycling, golf, soccer, synchronized swimming, archery, baseball, canoe/kayak, lacrosse, softball, swimming (including Special Olympics) and triathlon, which made its Saskatchewan Games debut in Lloydminster. Lloydminster and the surrounding area provided excellent facilities. Lakeland College was designated as the athletes’ village and provided accommodation for the mission staff teams. The 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games would be the last Games in which the teams were identified as zones. The success of the Games in Lloydminster was recognized by Tourism Saskatchewan as the recipient of an award for excellence in Promotional/Marketing Campaigns for 2008.
In 2010, Moose Jaw hosted the Saskatchewan Games for the fourth time. The 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games, held from February 14th to 20th, were another success for Moose Jaw. Athletes competed in air pistol, air rifle, alpine skiing, badminton, biathlon, bowling and curling, cross-country skiing, figure skating, gymnastics, judo, hockey, speed skating, table tennis and wrestling. Bowling and Curling both included Special Olympics athletes. This was the first Games where the teams were classified by District Teams rather than numerical zones. Moose Jaw once again proved that their city can rally support from local businesses and the community at large through their large number of volunteers.
2012 marked 40 years since the first Saskatchewan Games took place in Moose Jaw in 1972. Meadow Lake, the host of the 2012 Games, was the smallest and most northerly city to ever host the Saskatchewan Games. These Games also boasted the highest participation numbers in many years. The sports of archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, canoe/kayak, equestrian, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball were represented at the Games. Many special events took place during the week of the Games to mark 40 years of the Saskatchewan Games program.
In 2014, Prince Albert hosted the Saskatchewan Winter Games. This would be the third Saskatchewan Games hosted by the city of Prince Albert. The sport of snowboarding was introduced as a Saskatchewan Games sport. The sport calendar included air pistol, alpine skiing, badminton, biathlon, bowling (including Special Olympics), cross country skiing, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, snowboarding, speed skating, synchronized swimming, table tennis and wrestling.
The Saskatchewan Games Legacy Program became a reality in late 2013. The 2014 Saskatchewan Winter Games were able to take advantage of grant funding to support upgrades to many of the sport venues used for the Games in Prince Albert.
In 2016, the City of Estevan hosted a very successful Summer Games. The Games theme “Energize the Games” was very applicable as the community and surrounding area are very engaged in oil and coal production. This was the second time Estevan has hosted a Saskatchewan Summer Games, having previously hosted the Games in 1980. A very ambitious capital program left the community with upgraded sport facilities including a new athletics venue and major upgrades to the tennis courts. The Saskatchewan Games Legacy Grant of $250,000 contributed significantly to the construction and renovations of the sport facilities.
13 sports were included in the Games: archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, canoe/kayak, equestrian, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, Special Olympics swimming, tennis, triathlon and volleyball. The 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games had the largest number of participants competing in the history of the Saskatchewan Games program.
The 2018 Saskatchewan Winter Games were held in North Battleford from February 18th to 24th, 2018. Over 1,300 athletes competed in 17 different winter sports, with another 500 coaches, managers, officials and mission staff participating and representing more than 300 communities across Saskatchewan. More than 1,200 volunteers lent their time to “Celebrate Winter’s Best,” and the thousands of visitors and participants were impressed by the Battlefords’ high-quality sport venues and welcoming atmosphere. All indoor sports were live-streamed, a Saskatchewan Games first.
The 2018 Games marked another major first in Saskatchewan Games history: a para-sport was included in the sport calendar, with a para-nordic ski competition happening alongside cross-country skiing. The other sports contested were alpine skiing, badminton, biathlon, bowling, Special Olympics bowling, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, snowboarding, speed skating, synchronized swimming, table tennis, target shooting, wrestling, and weightlifting, which returned to the Saskatchewan Games after a 12-year absence.
The year 2020 saw the first-ever interruption to the Games hosting cycle, with the 2020 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster tentatively postponed to summer 2021 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Countless events and multi-sport games across the country and abroad, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, were also postponed due to the pandemic.
The postponed 2021 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster were ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic’s continued impact. On December 21st 2020, the Saskatchewan Games Council, the Host Organization, and the City of Lloydminster jointly made the decision to not move forward with the Games given continued uncertainties around the safety of holding the event. Lloydminster was given the first right of refusal to host the Games in the summer of 2024, which City Council voted in favour of.
The sports that were slated to be at the Games were also given the option to participate in 2024. Those sports included archery, athletics, baseball, basketball, canoe/kayak, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, Special Olympics swimming, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, and two new sports which would make their Games debut: rugby and wheelchair basketball.
In 2020, the program notched another first: it was announced that Regina would host the next Saskatchewan Winter Games in February of 2022. Historically, Regina and Saskatoon were considered ineligible to host the Games; both cities have the capacity to host larger events, and hosting the Saskatchewan Games provides smaller centres a major opportunity to benefit from tourism generation, capacity-building, and community development. However, with the year 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Games, it was a unique opportunity for the program to host the event in the province’s capital.
Despite the efforts of a dedicated Host Organizing Committee, lingering effects of the global pandemic once again disrupted the planning and execution of the 2022 Winter Games. On January 7th, 2022, just over a month away from the Games, the decision was made to postpone the Games until February 19th-25th, 2023. The Games would then be set to take place at the same time as the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island, the first time a Canada Games and Saskatchewan Games had ever coincided.
The 2023 Games calendar included many of the program’s now-standard sports, including para-nordic ski, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, badminton, biathlon, Special Olympics bowling, curling, figure skating, gymnastics (WAG only), judo, snowboarding, speed skating, artistic swimming, table tennis, target shooting, wrestling, and weightlifting. Making their Saskatchewan Games debuts were the sports of futsal and mixed doubles curling.
Inclusion was a guiding value for the 2023 Games, and female leadership development and Indigenous inclusion were major focuses of the Host Organizing Committee. Numerous legacies were delivered through the Saskatchewan Games Sport Legacy matching grant funding, including a new snowboard cross/ski cross run at Mission Ridge Winter Park, major upgrades to the Qu’Appelle Valley Nordic ski and biathlon club facilities, and upgraded equipment to benefit nearly every participating Provincial Sport Organization as well as dozens of local sport clubs.
Overall participation numbers for these Games were about 10% lower than the 2018 Games and can be attributed to the long-term effects of the pandemic on sport participation. The University of Regina served as a major Games hub, including hosting the Athletes’ Village, and provided an exceptional environment for the participants. Numerous activities took place throughout the event to mark the Saskatchewan Games’ 50th anniversary, including the production of a documentary, a historical exhibit onsite at the Athletes’ Village, and a VIP reception that honoured many of the program’s builders and key contributors over the years.
The 2024 Games will once again be held in Lloydminster, and planning is currently underway. The event will run from July 21st-27th, and will feature the debuts of Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, and Special Olympics – Bocce. The Saskatchewan Games Council and the City of Lloydminster have jointly funded numerous Legacy Projects to benefit the community, including extensive upgrades to the VLA Soccer Fields, the purchase of Sport Court surface to enhance the Wheelchair Basketball competition, and upgrades to and an expansion of the Beach Volleyball courts at Bud Miller All Seasons Park. These upgrades are in addition to the various Legacy Projects that went ahead in 2020 despite the event’s cancellation, which included major upgrades to the Hospital Ball Diamonds and resurfacing of the Athletics track at the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School.
The growth of the Games program has been steady throughout its 52-year history. Constant evaluation from all partners has ensured that each stage of the cycle has built on the success of its predecessors.