City council poses with Grande Prairie's Special Olympics Summer Games team at city hall on Monday, July 14. Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Grande Prairie should be proud of hosting the Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games says Mayor

Jul 17, 2025 | 12:00 PM

Grande Prairie’s Mayor says the 2025 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games was an “excellent opportunity to showcase our community.”

Jackie Clayton says that includes the facilities and the ability to play host.

“Our community continues to come together, whether it’s volunteers or sponsors or athletes and really take this opportunity to show other people what a great opportunity it is to live in this region and this city.”

“Over the weekend (we) met so many great athletes and parents and people that were just blown away by the hospitality but also by the competition and the kindness.”

Clayton says hosting the games is something the city should be proud of.

“It was months and months of work and it’s over in a few days, but it’s a feeling that will not leave you because that was a great weekend in Grande Prairie.”

Clayton says she talked to people from bigger cities that said they were “blown away” by the facilities this city has.

“Quite often, we joke about the fact that the road only goes one way but when people get here, whether it’s for work or culture or recreation, they really have an opportunity to experience our community.”

“We have exceptional facilities; we have exceptional hospitality. Our people are second to none in regard to what they give with their time and with their money.”

The games ran last weekend, July 11-13, at eight different venues in Grande Prairie.

Athletes from the Swan city won 35 medals at the games. That included 15 gold, 13 silver. and seven bronze.

Sixty athletes and coaches, with many athletes wearing their medals, came to city council’s meeting on Monday to be recognized for their efforts.