Induction 2018 - Builder
Lifelong Builder in Recreation &
Sport
Community Organizer and Volunteer
Initiator of Community Projects
1957- 2018
Octegenarian, Continues
to Embrace His
Community After 60 Years of Volunteerism
In
many small Canadian communities there are special people behind the
scenes who seem to be involved in everything and silently contribute to
the community through their actions and deeds. Al Clemmer is one of
those people. For the sixty years he has lived in Alder Flats, Al has
been the unheralded volunteer that has given so much to the citizens of
Alder Flats and the surrounding area. His contributions started in 1957
with the building of a Community Hall and continue to this day with
other projects and activities. It is because of his selfless dedication
and volunteering efforts that Al is being inducted into the Wetaskiwin
and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Dedication, Know-How, and Quiet Unassuming Leadership
In 1957, Al’s father Dick Clemmer was one of the major spear-headers in
building the first Alder Flats Community Centre. Dick enlisted his son
Al to help with the building and that became the start of Al’s
volunteering in Alder Flats. Three years later, Al was on the committee promoting
construction of the curling rink that was attached to the Community
Centre. He not only helped with the building of the rink but did most
of the running to Edmonton or elsewhere for any requirements. Once the
curling rink was built, Al taught curling to the young kids. At the
time, the ice was natural ice and Al was one of the crew that put in the
ice every fall and made sure things were prepared for the curling season
ahead. Al was always at the rink cleaning and fixing. Even so, he did
find time to curl.
Al was a member of the group that organized the 1967 Centennial
Voyageurs Pack Horse Relay Race. This was an extensive project that
drew over 1000 people. Besides being the Relay Race starter, he
assisted in organizing the barbecue to feed everyone. From that
function the annual Alder Flats Race Meet and Rodeo was created. Al has
volunteered every year since and has ordered the meat and done all the
barbecuing for the annual steak dinner. Additionally, Al helps to
maintain the rodeo grounds and assists in the organization of this
yearly event.
Spearheaded Many Projects, Contributed Silently to Countless Others
Fund-Raiser,
Supervisor, Alder Flats "Go-to Guy"
Al was also involved in the raising of funds to build a new larger
Community Centre with a new curling rink, this time with artificial
ice. Additionally, he obtained the grant for the skating rink and
helped to build it. When the wooden boards of the skating rink were
replaced by steel and plastic it was Al who managed this project.
He was at the rink every day supervising and helping out until the
project was completed. Over the years, it was not unusual to see Al
flooding and scraping the ice for the skaters.
Besides recreational activities, Al was also involved in other aspects
of community life. Al helped establish the Alder Flats Legion located
in the older hall. He arranged memberships and since the early 70’s he
has been caretaker, table setter, cook, and in charge of the barbecue.
Al is a key fundraiser along with the McLeods and has held every Legion
position including president. When the roof was blown from the hall, it
was Al who guided the building of the new roof. For a month he was at
the hall daily helping and overseeing that everything went according to
plan. As well, the cement picnic tables at Alder Flats Centennial
Park were arranged for by Al. Furthermore, he raised funds
for the Alder Flats Fire Department that were used for the water well
and solicited donations of materials for the building of holding tanks.
Both the water well and holding tanks are used in fighting fires in the
Winfield-Alder Flats area.
The Community Embraces Al Clemmer for His Community Spirit and Dedication
From day one, Al has been the “go to” guy in the Alder Flats community.
Besides assisting making and maintaining the curling ice in the
original curling rink, at one time or another, Al has maintained most of
the community facilities, including the Community Centre,
the skating rink, the fitness centre, and the Legion. This volunteer
work of maintaining the facilities has been Al’s job for the last
twenty-five years, and even though Al is now an octogenarian he is still
the one called when there is a problem. He knows where everything is
and how to get things fixed. Many take Al for granted but he never
complains.
The citizens of Alder Flats thank Al for his contributions to the town
and we thank him for his contributions to our county. Al is indeed an
example for everyone to emulate that giving back to humankind is such a
desirable attribute. We recognize Al Clemmer’s volunteer time, his
leadership, his efforts, and his commitment to improving the lives of
his neighbours through community events and facilities by inducting him
into the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Find out what it means to "Clemmer" something - Read the presentation speech by Kristi Paulstat
