AMATEUR AND GRASSROOTS SPORTS
Hockey development and education have always been, and will continue to be, at centre ice for the Calgary Flames Hockey Club.Flames Community Arenas
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Expanding on success.
The Calgary Centennial Arenas, recognized as one of the most successful facilities of its kind, opened in 1986 due to the efforts of local residents who recognized the advantages it would bring to their community. The Flames Foundation for Life donated $1 million toward the recent expansion of the complex which saw a third arena added to the facility. This will provide much needed ice time for a variety of sports including hockey, lacrosse, figure skating and ringette and is expected to increase the number of visitors from 500,000 to 750,000 a year. The expansion was also supported by a $5 million grant from the Government of Alberta.
The arenas, built, administered and operated by the Southwest Arena Society, were renamed the Flames Community Arenas in honour of the Foundation’s donation and reopened on January 22, 2011. The official opening of the new arena included a ceremonial puck drop, an exhibition match between the Trails West Hockey Association and Glenlake Hockey Association and was attended by the Calgary Flames, the Flames Foundation for Life, the Southwest Arena Society, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, Calgary Bow MLA Alana Delong and MP Lee Richardson. Right winger for the Trails West Dawgs, Nolan Gardiner, 13, had the distinction of being the first to score a goal on the new ice.
Ownership of the facility includes: Canadian Forces Calgary, Glenlake Minor Hockey Club, Elbow Park Group, Mount Royal University, Trails West Hockey Association, South Calgary Community Association, Lakeview Community Association, and North Glenmore Park Community Association.
Flames EvenStrength Program and Hockey Camp
For 2,500 underprivileged children this program means the opportunity to play hockey.Started in 1998, EvenStrength is a partnership between the Flames Foundation for Life, KidSport Calgary and Hockey Calgary, and is responsible for distributing almost $1 million to help alleviate the cost of playing hockey for those facing financial barriers. As part of the program, children get to skate with their hockey heroes.
During the 2010/2011 season, the Calgary Flames, Flames Foundation, Hockey Calgary, Hockey Alberta and Tuxedo Sports joined forces to host Dreams Come True with the EvenStrength program. Dreams Come True is a Hockey Canada initiative that covers minor hockey fees for 50 young players and provides them with a full set of equipment. The 50 minor hockey players also got the opportunity to skate at the Saddledome with Calgary Flames defenceman Mark Giordano and forward Matt Stajan.
Refrigerated Ice Rinks
The gift of outdoor skating.From early fall to late spring, communities around Calgary can enjoy outdoor skating on state-of-the-art refrigerated ice rinks thanks to donations from the Flames Foundation for Life.
The town of Ponoka and the community of Cranston received a donation of over $500,000 from the Flames Foundation for Life. The 7.3 acre recreational area was launched on March 6, 2010 and featured a family skate, skills competition, other family-fun activities and appearances by Calgary Flames President Ken King, Flames ambassadors, alumni and Harvey the Hound. In addition, the Cranston rink was the site of the Pond Hockey by Enmax 2011 launch on January 25.
Amateur Hockey Teams and Clubs
The Flames Foundation for Life supports the Minor Hockey Association of Calgary (MHAC) and several amateur organizations including Calgary’s three prominent post-secondary institutes: The University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Mount Royal University.The following Men’s and Women’s post-secondary teams each receive a $20,000 donation per year:
University of Calgary Dinos
SAIT Trojans
Mount Royal University Cougars
The following Alberta Junior Hockey League teams within the South Division will receive donations of $50,000 over 5 years in support of their programs:
Calgary Canucks Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club
Calgary Mustangs Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club
EDUCATION
The Calgary Flames Hockey Club believes it is important to help the young minds and leaders of tomorrow with their education today.Harley Hotchkiss Scholarships
Recognizing and supporting student athletes who show leadership on and off the ice.In honour of Calgary Flames owner Harley Hotchkiss, one of the original 6 businessmen responsible for bringing the Flames to Calgary, scholarships are awarded to students at post-secondary institutions who are members of the men’s and women’s hockey teams. Three $1000 scholarships are awarded yearly to each of the following educational institutions: the University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Mount Royal University.
Winners of the 2010 and 2011 Harley Hotchkiss Scholarships:
University of Calgary
| 2010 | 2011 |
| Ryan Gillen | Ryan Gillen |
| Paul Gentile | Mark Stojan |
| Calaine Inglis | Melissa Zubick |
SAIT Polytechnic
| 2010 | 2011 |
| Brock Michalsky | Amanda Williams |
| Tonya Faasse | Kevin Lessard |
| Lindsay Coghlan | Garrett Watson |
Mount Royal University
| 2010 | 2011 |
| Dustin Kimber | Shyla Beaven |
| Jordan McLaughlin | Barry Horman |
| Jamie Teichman | Leanne Pfliger |
George Pelawa/Calgary Flames Foundation Educational Fund
Turning tragedy into support.In 1986, Calgary Flames draft pick George Pelawa, a Minnesota high school right winger, passed away tragically in a car accident. Over the next 20 years, in honour of this young athlete, the Foundation donated to a scholarship at Bemidji High School, where George was a student, to help other young Minnesota athletes pursue their education. In 2010 the Foundation recommitted to the endowment scholarship in perpetuity and has donated $15,000 over 3 years.
The Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITEFostering creativity and the exchange of ideas and solutions.
The Kinnear Centre for Creativity and Innovation, opened in July 2010, is a place where artists and leaders can learn, create and exchange ideas. Situated on Banff Centre campus with views of the mountains, the centre is 21,000 square feet and houses 17 meeting rooms with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, nine large multifunction rooms, a ballet studio, a Galleria featuring art from the Banff Centre’s permanent collections, and a Library and Archives with access to the Centre’s collection of books, recordings, films, music scores and historical materials. As thanks for a $300,000 donation, one of the 17 meeting rooms was named the Calgary Flames Foundation Room.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH
The Calgary Flames Hockey Club is committed to helping create healthy vibrant communities and to enhancing the wellbeing of Southern Albertans. To achieve this goal, the Foundation has donated $5 million to REACH!, Rotary/Flames House, and Rotary/Flames Park at Ronald McDonald House.REACH!
Aimed at creating a new world standard of health for Southern Albertans, REACH! was a joint partnership between the University of Calgary, Alberta Health Services, the Calgary Health Trust and philanthropic leaders such as the Flames and Rotary Clubs of Calgary. The partnership raised $312 million. Health initiatives and state-of-the-art medical facilities across Calgary which received funding from the REACH! partnership are highlighted below.Public Health and Wellness – CORE Connections
Preventing adolescent depression and substance abuse and helping students feel safe and valued at school is the goal of Core Connections, a 3 year intervention project currently running in 30 schools.Facilitators work with schools to promote mental health and teach life skills such as how to deal with conflict, difficult emotions and other stressors. To date, 5865 children have been involved with the project and dramatic results have been reported from the pre-pilot including a 20 percent reduction in drug use, a 50 percent reduction in smoking and an increase in students reporting that they have someone they can confide in when upset.
The Foundation for Life/Rotary donation allowed the program to get started and sparked other donations and grants making it possible for a 7 year program. The project is collecting and providing hard evidence regarding the impact of the program.
Markin Institute for Public Health
The Markin Institute for Public Health focuses on preventing disease by promoting health and wellness in the population and conducting research in various disciplines including medicine, kinesiology and urban design. Studies are conducted in schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITEThe Libin Cardiovascular Institute, established in 2004, is a ‘virtual institute’ that coordinates and integrates all cardiovascular services in Southern Alberta; this includes educating and training future health care professionals, promoting cardiovascular health and disease prevention, providing treatment and increasing access to cardiac services, and conducting research. The Institute serves over 1.6 million people in Southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Eastern British Columbia.
The following projects were supported by the Flames/Rotary donation:
• Cardiovascular Health Awareness and Management Program
• Canadian Hypertension Education Program
• A CIHR supported study assessing hypertension occurrence, management and outcomes in Canada
• World Health Organization meeting on sodium reduction
• National Cardiovascular Outcomes Workshop
The impact of these projects, programs and meetings has spanned from the local to the international level.
Hotchkiss Brain Institute – Spinal Cord and Nerve Regeneration Project
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITEThe goal of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, which was launched in October 2004, is to translate research in neuroscience and mental health into innovative health care solutions. Research focuses on the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves and looks at both healthy and diseased tissue. Discoveries are applied towards preventing, detecting and treating neurological and mental health issues including multiple sclerosis, stroke and psychosis.
The Rotary/Flames Laboratory for Spinal Cord Research within the Hotchkiss Brain Institute is the site of the Spinal Cord and Nerve Regeneration Project. Cutting edge research led by Dr. Peter Stys and supported by his research team focuses on nerve injury and repair. Using laser microscopy equipment unique in the world, the team is taking stunning images and videos of nerves, cells and sub-cellular components from spinal cord specimens and has developed new model systems for studying spinal cord injuries. It is hoped that this research will lead to new therapies that can minimize the damage to the spinal cord after injury. A new device, the “CARS Exoscope” is being developed which will eventually allow for the same detailed images to be captured from live animals and people.
Rebecca Hotchkiss International Brain Frontiers Scholar Exchange Program
The Scholar Exchange Program will allow the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) to achieve its mission of excellence in neuroscience research, education and improved neurological and mental health here in Canada and beyond. Leaders in neuroscience from around the world will visit HBI for extended, intensive research residencies. In addition, HBI faculty, fellows and students will be able to travel to other parts of the world to exchange ideas, collaborate and learn from leading neuroscientists. The Scholar Exchange Program is unique and will enhance the reputation and impact of the HBI and the important work being done. The Foundation has donated $600,000 over 4 years to this program.Alberta Bone and Joint Institute – Tissue Engineering Lab
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITEThe Alberta Bone and Joint Institute, founded by J.R. McCraig in 2004, is a nonprofit umbrella organization for bone and joint health care, research and education in Alberta.
Funds from the REACH! partnership were directed to the Tissue Engineering Lab and the purchase of equipment. Research on repairing damaged cartilage and ligaments is the focus of the Lab. A key piece of equipment purchased for the labs enables researchers to perform ongoing experiments on cells to determine how they respond to compression and how best to push stem cells towards damaged tissues. These experiments bring science closer to engineering tissues to implant and repair damaged cartilage and ligaments using stem cells which offer the best chance at treating joint injuries.
A biomaterials engineer will be appointed to the biomaterials portion of the labs and new equipment will be bought with the remaining funds. The new piece of equipment will aid in the understanding of how mechanical and biological stimulants interplay. Additional labs are also being built.
Project NeuroArm
CLICK HERE TO VISIT SITENeuroArm is a surgical robot with the precision and dexterity of a surgeon’s hand. A combination of space robotics and advanced imaging technology, neuroArm is the first of its kind. The robot performs technically challenging surgical procedures in parts of the brain a surgeon’s hands cannot go, all with minimal invasion on surrounding brain tissue. Made of non-ferromagnetic materials allows it to be used in conjunction with MRI technology, meaning images of the brain can be taken throughout a procedure without interrupting the flow of surgery. This use of intra-operative MRI (iMRI) has been shown to improve surgery in up to 20% of cases. NeuroArm can also be used for training by using it as a simulator with virtual tools that can mimic the sensation of microsurgery.
Officially unveiled to the world on April 13, 2007 following years of research, design and engineering, neuroArm has helped over 1200 patients, 17 of these last year. The first procedure with the robot was performed on May 12, 2008. After its initial launch, neuroArm underwent some modifications and the iMRI was upgraded to a stronger 3T magnet which required comprehensive modifications to the operating room including the addition of whole-room Radio Frequency shielding. Research continues in new areas and development of neuroArm II is underway.
Southern Alberta Institute of Urology
Each year in the province of Alberta 2,400 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and the disease claims more than 400 lives. Early detection and treatment are critical to successfully fighting this disease.Opened in April 2010, the Southern Alberta Institute of Urology is a 40,000 square foot one-of-a-kind facility that has treated more than 43,000 patients to date. The Institute is the only medical structure built entirely through philanthropy and within its walls are offices for 14 Urologists and the Prostate Cancer Centre. The Centre runs the Prostate Cancer Rapid Access Clinic which has reduced the time it takes to reach a diagnosis from 95 days to 8.5 days; a huge impact in the fight to save lives.
Rotary Flames House
Watch VideoFor families caring for a child with a progressive or terminal illness, the Rotary Flames House is an alternative to home.
The hospice, which provides respite and end-of-life care, was designed with families in mind; there are 11 children’s bedrooms with pull out sofa’s for parents to sleep by the bedside, 2 family suites, a special room flooded with sunlight for children with immune systems too weak to go outside and a team of health care specialists to provide support. Opened in 2010 next to the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the family-centered sanctuary is the first of its kind in Alberta and helps an estimated 400 families a year.
Working together, the Rotary Clubs of Calgary and the Flames Foundation for Life donated $2.5 million towards the construction of the family-centered facility and surrounding park.
Rotary Flames Park at Ronald McDonald House
CLICK TO VISIT SITEQuiet sanctuary and a place to play for families when they need it most.
More than 17,000 families have made the Ronald McDonald house their home away from home while their child is receiving treatment at a Calgary hospital. These children and their families can now play in the two-acre private park surrounding the house. The park, a joint initiative between the Rotary Clubs of Calgary and the Flames Foundation, has bike paths, playgrounds and quiet gardens and allows the House to run outdoor programs.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Matching Player Donations
Flames players contribute to the fabric of the city of Calgary through their active involvement in broad community initiatives and also by contributing to charities of their choice. Many players offer performance-based donations such as Jarome Iginla who donates $2,000 for every goal he scores to KidSport Calgary and Canada; others serve as spokespersons such as Adam Pardy who is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area making special appearances at events and actively participating in fundraising.In recognition of their dedication and commitment, the Flames Foundation matches player donations up to $25,000 per year.
For a full list of players and the charities they support, CLICK HERE
Hockey Fights Cancer
CLICK TO VISIT SITEAccording to the Canadian Cancer Society, the leading cause of premature death in Canada is cancer; in 2010, they estimated that 83,900 women and 90,000 men would be diagnosed. In Alberta alone more than 6,000 of the almost 16,000 people diagnosed this year will die of cancer (Alberta Cancer Statistics, Alberta Cancer Foundation). Chances are cancer has or may touch someone you know.
Hockey Fights Cancer is a joint charitable initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association. The aim of this initiative is to raise money and awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research. To date more than $11 million has been raised.
Events are held by the Hockey League’s 30 teams in October each year. Lavender, the colour representing awareness for all cancers, is worn by the hockey community throughout the month. In addition Hockey Fights Cancer decals are worn on helmets during games.
On October 16, 2010, the Calgary Flames faced off against the Edmonton Oilers and raised $18,966.55 through 50/50 and merchandise sales for the cause.
Each of the Hockey Clubs also received a $10,000 grant from the NHL to be donated to a local cancer research organization of their choice; the Calgary Flames, through the Flames Foundation, directed this grant to the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta – supporting their mission of offering hope and support to families facing childhood cancer.
Haitian Relief
CLICK HERE TO VISIT PAGEIn the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti in January 2010 Flames fans were moved to action. Through the purchase of 50/50 tickets and autographed hockey memorabilia fans helped the Flames Foundation for Life, the Calgary Flames, Calgary Hitmen and Flames Better Halves raise over $100,000 for Haitian Relief through the Canadian Red Cross.
