City encouraging community involvement at 2025 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games

The Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games City of Grande Prairie 2025 (SOGP 2025) is officially under 100 days away from kicking off. The sport tourism event welcomes over 1000 athletes from 20 affiliates across Alberta and the Northwest Territories to compete in Grande Prairie from July 11 to 13, 2025.

The Host Organizing Committee Games Manager attended City Council on Monday, April 7 to provide an update on the Games which included information about the Athlete Ambassador Program, fundraising initiatives and an event overview.

City of Grande Prairie's continued commitment to the Games legacy

During the meeting, the City re-iterated its involvement in Inclusion Alberta's Rotary Employment Partnership which provides equal opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. The City will work with Inclusion Alberta to best allocate existing funding to support multiple part-time positions for people with intellectual disabilities.

"The Rotary Employment Program is a great initiative that will not only create a meaningful employment opportunity for the individual(s) but also benefit the City by leveraging different strengths, talents and abilities of a new employee(s)," said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. "This is especially evident given the experience we've had with the Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games Athlete Ambassador Program, which the City has hired three athletes to be involved in. These athletes have done a great job of highlighting not only the upcoming Games but the City of Grande Prairie as a whole and we look forward to cheering them on as they represent our region at the upcoming Games!"

Get involved

SOGP 2025 is looking for approximately 300 community members to volunteer throughout the Games weekend to help ensure smooth event operations. There are 16 different roles available for volunteers ranging from sport-specific to transit ushers and lots in between.

Volunteer opportunities are viewable at sogp2025.com.

"We're excited to see the positive impact that the Games are already having on our community and the athletes," said Host Organizing Committee Co-Chair Dianna Wright. "We're officially less than 100 days away, and as the Games quickly approach we encourage everyone in the community to find a way to get involved - whether as a volunteer, a sponsor or a spectator!"

About 2025 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games

SOGP 2025 will host approximately 1000 athletes from with an intellectual disability from July 11 to 13, 2025 who will compete in one of 10 sports across various locations in the City and County of Grande Prairie.

SOGP 2025 sports include swimming, basketball, rhythmic gymnastics, golf, softball, powerlifting, soccer, bocce, athletics and 10-pin bowling, with all events (including the opening ceremonies) being free for spectators to attend.

Participating athletes who win their respective sport go on to compete in the 2026 National Games, taking place in Medicine Hat, and have the opportunity to continue forward to the World Games happening in Chile in 2027.

Learn more about this year's Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games at sogp2025.com.