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Max Gibb

Multisport Builder - Inducted 1998

Max Gibb is one of the most admired and respected promoters of amateur sports in Alberta. He was a major contributor to the development of the Games movement in Alberta and was a critical player in the establishment of the Alberta Games Council and subsequently the Alberta Sport Council. Max Gibb got his start in sports as an athlete, winning eight Golden Gloves Championships as a boxer. As a builder, his first involvement in Games was that of Assistant Chief of the Alberta Team at the first Canada Games in 1965. That experience prompted him to initiate and chair the first Games in Alberta, the 1970 Southern Alberta Summer Games in Pincher Creek. Max Gibb also assisted in developing similar regional Games throughout Alberta. He then Co-Chaired the successful 1975 Canada Games bid for Lethbridge and Southern Alberta, where he was the executive director responsible for public relations and promotions. Max Gibb was the Managing Director of the Alberta Games Council from 1977 to 1984. During this time he oversaw 26 Alberta Games and initiated the first Alberta Seniors Games in 1980. He was the first managing director of the Alberta Sport Council, a position he held from 1984 to 1994. Max Gibb has been presented with numerous awards, one of them being the Premier's Alberta Achievement Award for Excellence for "The Achievement of Alberta Games Development."

After Induction

Max was one of 100 people to receive the 2005 Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation Award/medal.  He received the Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame special Award in 2002.  Within the Alberta Games movement, the Max Gibb Award was created in his honour and is given to those that have contributed or been involved in the Southern Alberta Summer Games. 

In the past decade (c 2005-2015), Max has been considered one of the most influential people in Alberta horse racing.  He has been the chief executive officer of the United Horsemen of Alberta Inc. (UHA).  He was one of many industry members determined to develop new tracks throughout the province - and revive horse racing in the Calgary area again (after Stampede Park closed in 2008).  Building a new track is a lengthy process with many ups and downs.  Withstanding those, Max was able to build the Rocky Mountain Turf Club racetrack at Lethbridge in the 1990's; Alberta Downs at Lacombe from 2006-2008; and Century Downs, north of Calgary, was slated to open for the 2015 racing season.   Max has his own ranch south of Calgary and also breeds horses for racing. 

Awards and Honours

2002 - Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame

2005 - Alberta Centennial Salute for Sport and Recreation Award

Southern Alberta Summer Games: MAX GIBB AWARD

This "once-in-a-life-time" award is presented to individuals who have significantly contributed to the development of the Southern Alberta Summer Games. There are two categories under which an individual can qualify for the Award.

  • Any individual, who has been involved in the development and organization of local and regional playoffs as well as at the Games level, for a period of not less than five years, is eligible for nomination (including the current year).

  • Any individual who has contributed towards the development of the Games in an exceptional manner is eligible for the award.

Born: July 13, 1941 in Lethbridge.  Grew up in Raymond.