Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, the family of Ken King and the Calgary Flames Foundation are pleased to announce details around two projects in honour of the late Ken King.
In partnership with the Parks Foundation, Ken King Courts will be an innovative pickleball and sport court located in Sandy Beach Park in southwest Calgary. The court will feature two courts and promote sport and recreation to the many users of this Calgary park space. Sandy Beach Park will see several improvements in the coming year including a picnic area, parking and pathway enhancements.
Pickleball is one of North America’s fastest growing sports due to its inclusivity and social benefit for people of all ages. It is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong using a paddle and plastic ball with holes. The courts are scheduled to open fall 2023.
“Ken was passionately dedicated to positively impacting the lives of people in this community. His fingerprints are on many of the Calgary Flames Foundation projects and the community boards he served on. Ken truly believed in the power of movement and sport, that everyone could improve their physical, emotional and mental health through movement,” says Marilyn King, Ken’s spouse of 48 years. “Ken King Courts will be a place this happens.”
In addition to the Ken King Courts, the King family and the Calgary Flames Foundation have teamed up with KidSport Calgary to create the Ken King Community Awards. Awards will be granted to athletes under the age of 18 in the Calgary community who reflect Ken’s commitment to positively impacting the community. The awards will see 10 youth per year receive up to $1,000 to assist with additional training, athletic camps, education, specialized equipment and more.
“Ken gave so much of his life to community service. He was a mentor, a leader and a friend,” says John Bean, CEO and President, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation. “These awards embody the values he worked to instill in the people and groups around him.”
Born and raised in Hanley, Sask., Ken King was the vice-chairman of Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation at the time of his passing. Ken was an active member of the Calgary community, always displaying exemplary leadership and an enthusiastic commitment to amateur and professional sport. He was involved with several organizations including the TELUS Community Board, the Calgary Sport Tourism Authority, the Calgary Airport Authority and was a former chairman of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. Ken was passionate about working towards making Calgary the healthiest City in the world.