Hugh McPherson
Multisport Builder - Inducted 2015
Hugh McPherson has made a tremendous and long-term commitment to sport, both locally and across Alberta, for most of his lifetime. As a school teacher and administrator, his initial contributions were made as a coach in the education system for more than 20 years.
In the community, he served on many committees including the City of Red Deer's Parks, Recreation, and Culture Board from 1981 to 1985. During his time as Chair of this Board, he served on the Waskasoo Park Policy Committee - which was responsible for overseeing the master plan for the Waskasoo Park including: Riverbend Golf Course and Recreation Area, Fort Normandeau, Heritage Ranch, McKenzie Trails, Bower Ponds, Kerry Wood Nature Centre, and the extensive walking and biking trails that link our communities in Red Deer.
Hugh served on the Red Deer Games Foundation for more than 25 years and was also active with the Red Deer Games Society, the Red Deer College Athletic Advisory Board, and is currently serving on the 2019 Canada Winter Games Board of Directors.
Provincially, Hugh was the Zone 4 Representative of the Alberta Sport Council, and helped with the transition when it became its successor, Alberta Sport Recreation Parks & Wildlife Foundation. He was involved with their Games programs and served as a board director on the committees for the Alberta Games in 1988, the Alberta Special Olympics Summer Games in 1993, the Alberta Summer Games in 2006, and the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. He was also a member of the Protocol Committee for the 1998 Alberta Summer Games.
As a member of the Alberta Sport Council, Hugh served as the Chair for the Standing Committee for the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. He was instrumental in the relocation of the Hall to Red Deer and the development of the current permanent facility - serving on both the Building and Fundraising committees. Once the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame formed its own Society, Hugh served as vice-chair on the Board from 1994-1999.
Hugh also volunteered with the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the LPGA Canadian Open Golf Tournament, and was chair of the Youth and Volunteer Centre in Red Deer.
In recognition of Hugh's leadership and years of dedication to sport, he has been honoured with the 2003 Alberta School Administrators Leadership Award, the 2005 Alberta Centennial Award for Sport and Recreation, and the 2011 City of Red Deer Lifetime Sports Achievement Award.
