Tragedy to Triumph … Our Story!

TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH … Our Story!
A special publication of the Sylvan Lake News

ESTIMATED MORE THAN 50,000 HOCKEY CAMP STUDENTS have attended Sylvan Lake Hockey Camp.
And in just another few weeks starts another busy season.

SYLVAN LAKE CONNECTIONS.
To the old arena? Or Sylvan Lake’s journey through the Kraft Hockeyville experience? Then this publication is a must read. It captures the essence of what true community spirit can do and the positive effect it has on everyone and anyone that was involved, no matter to what degree.

PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WOULD COME.
The article takes readers through a truly inspirational historical timeline, from the army of small town volunteers who painstakingly toiled over three years to plan, fundraise and construct a place that would become the community hub. Then through its’ early growth as an essential center piece of social and recreational infrastructure.  And with the advent of summer ice, how this undersized, ordinary rural rink, would turn out to be a major economic engine for the community and the area, as people from all over the world would come to participate in a passionate sport they loved, at a place that would offer them so many wonderful summer experiences.

INFAMOUS COLLAPSE RESURRECTS HOUSE OF MEMORIES.
Finally, to the ultimate shock of the now infamous collapse and the amazing way that very incident resurrected that same spirit and more, that built that wonderful house of memories.

BUILDING PLANS UNDERWAY FOR NEW CENTER OF COMMUNITY PRIDE.
And now, with  new plans already taking place, that spirit will be the foundation for the construction of a center of future community pride!

HOCKEY CAMP’S EFFECT ON MANY OF CANADA’S TOP PRO HOCKEY STARS.
Threading throughout the publication is the history of the Hockey Camp and how from the vision of Alf Cadman, a local sports hero turned entrepreneur, molded from humble beginnings, an idea into a now, 40 year destination for literally tens of thousands of people. Readers will see the effect the Camp had as many of Canada’s top professional hockey stars interacted with not only participants, but with the community as well. And how this interaction has had many of them stay, some as summer residents and some permanent residents, thus becoming integral parts of the community.

LONG-TIME CAMP PARTICIPANTS TRULY BRING OUT CAMP EFFECT ON COMMUNITY.
Noticeably,  you will see the effect the Camp had on the community and the Hockeyville campaign, as the original nomination was made by Kevin Putnam, a Sylvan Lake native son and long-time group leader at the Camp. He in turn teamed up with Jared Waldo, another original Sylvan Laker and former Camp instructor, to get the ball rolling. Darcy Rosie, who jumped in with the organization of a compelling commemorative arial photo of the collapse, actually talked his parents into letting him stay in the Camp dorm as a young student, even though they lived mere blocks from the rink.

HOSPITAL BEDS? 3rd GENERATION COMING UP.
They were the Dorm beds back in 1975. Constant circles of generations have gone through the camp, and in the next 3 years? Well, we’re expecting to have some 3rd generation attendees.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ABOUT SYLVAN LAKE HOCKEY CAMP’S HISTORY.
Past, Present and Future. Learn about the old arena’s history, and the Sylvan Lake Hockeyville adventure.  There are many more references to Camp connections within the many articles so I encourage everyone to click on the link and enjoy…Our Story!
http://www.sylvanlakenews.com/eeditions/?iid=i20140529063014547&pid=p20120309121148491  See Page 8 for the Sylvan Lake Hockey Camp article.

Graham Parsons,
Founder & President

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