Town of Coaldale poised to participate in Coaldale’s 13th Annual 5K Family Fun Run

During its January 29, 2024, Regular Council Meeting, Coaldale Town Council passed a motion to enter a Town of Coaldale team in Coaldale’s 13th Annual 5K Family Fun Run.

For over a decade, the Coaldale Christian School has organized the Run not only to encourage healthy outdoor activity, enhance family time, and bring cohesiveness to the Town of Coaldale, but also, to support local charity and local community enhancement projects.

Last year, event proceeds went towards improving the grounds adjacent to Pinnacle Park by constructing a new street hockey arena, sitting area, and walking path. In addition, $2 from every entry was donated to the Coaldale Food Bank to help relieve poverty and help those in need.

This year, event proceeds will go towards hosting the 2024 Southern Alberta Summer Games. $2 from every entry will be donated to Rehoboth Christian Ministries to support people with disabilities, while event proceeds will go to towards hosting the 2024 Southern Alberta Summer Games (SASG).

“As a Council, we strongly believe in supporting this Run”, said Town of Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn. “In our 2021-2025 Strategic Plan, we identify supporting major recreational events driven by the community to attract visitors, enhance community pride, and provide fuel to our economy. Coaldale’s Family Fun Run is a great example of what we’re talking about, and while 2024 marks the third year in a row that our Council has signed off on entering a Town of Coaldale team, it also marks 8 years since the Town became a ‘Platinum Sponsor’ of the event. I should also add that having this year’s proceeds go towards hosting another major recreational event in the community is icing on the cake”, explained Van Rijn. “We can’t wait to host the Southern Alberta Summer Games and welcome so many coaches and athletes to our community.”

In September, 2023, the Southern Alberta Recreation Association formally announced that Coaldale will host the SASG after a fouryear long hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scheduled to take place from July 3-6, the 2024 SASG will be the first since 2019 to offer full programming and will feature both individual and team sporting events in and around Coaldale. It is expected that nearly 2000 athletes and coaches will participate.

“We were thrilled to learn that the proceeds of this year’s Family Fun Run will go towards hosting the Southern Alberta Summer Games,” said Clayton Varjassy, Community Services Coordinator for the Town of Coaldale. “The Games began over 50 years ago and with the proceeds from this Run, we’ll be that much more prepared to bring them back to life.”

For more information about Coaldale’s 13th Annual 5K Family Fun Run, including how to register, please visit https://www.racepro.ca/ coaldale/. The Run will take place on April 20, at 10 a.m. and begin at the Coaldale Christian School.

For more information about the Southern Alberta Summer Games, including about how to volunteer, please contact the Town’s Community Services department by email at clayton. varjassy@coaldale.ca.