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Wherever Jim Called Home
He Served
His Community
With Distinction
 Jim Pelehos was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Since he was a young man, wherever Jim called home, he
served his community. Before living in Wetaskiwin Jim was involved with the Saskatoon Elk’s Hockey
Club, the Humboldt Indians Junior Hockey Club, the New
Westminster Royals Hockey Club, the Vancouver Minor Lacrosse
Association, the New Westminster O’Keefe Lacrosse Club, the
Edmonton Oil Kings Hockey Club and the Edmonton Oilers
Hockey Team. When Jim moved to Wetaskiwin in 1982 at the age of
62 he
continued his participation in community activities. It is
in appreciation and recognition for all of his contributions
to Wetaskiwin that Jim is being inducted into the Wetaskiwin
and County Sports Hall of Fame.
Founded
New
Club that Boasts 300 Members First Year
After residing in Wetaskiwin for a short time, Jim realized
that activities for seniors were lacking in our community.
To combat this deficiency, Jim founded the Pacemakers 60 and
Over Club in 1984 (now called the Trendsetters 50 Plus
Club). Despite doubt from others as to the success of this
endeavour, the Pacemakers had over 300 members in the first
year. Jim was President for the next seven years. He
attracted persons for the board that he would enjoy working
with and the board organized dances, card tournaments and
golf. One of the first things Jim did was establish a
Phoning Committee to keep members informed of coming
events. Jim also organized a two day Golf Tournament for
Seniors that attracted golfers from Saskatchewan, BC and
other parts of Alberta. Jim had a philosophy that if anyone
had a good idea he would put them in charge and give them
help and financial support.
First City in History to Make Summer Games Profit
with Pelehos as Director Of Promotions
Jim resigned from the Pacemakers Board in 1991 in order to
be on the organizing committee for the 1993 Wetaskiwin
Summer Games. He was appointed Director of Promotion and
with Jim’s leadership Wetaskiwin was the first city in the
Games history to garner a profit from the Games. The over
$100,000 in earnings was used for four or five years for
different sports organizations. During the Games Jim
engaged the seniors with selling souvenirs, bagging candies,
sales, and other volunteer undertakings.
Board
of Directors Icemen Hockey 18 Years 1984-2010
In 1992 Jim became involved with the Wetaskiwin Icemen
Junior “B” Hockey Club. Jim had been the Program Director
for the Edmonton Oilers when they were in the World Hockey
League. With the help of Bill Hunter, some of the former
Edmonton Oilers and other well known sports personalities
from northern Alberta, a surprise “Roast” was organized for
Jim in Wetaskiwin. Five thousand dollars was raised that
evening and was used as seed money for the Icemen in their
initial year. Jim has been on the Icemen Board of Directors
since 1992 and has worked tirelessly for the Icemen as their
chief fund raiser.
Fundraiser Extraordinaire
The Front Foyer addition to the Wetaskiwin Civic Centre in
2000 is directly attributable to Jim’s fund raising and
leadership efforts. Jim solicited many businesses and was
able to raise over $750,000. As well Jim spent countless
hours behind the scenes making sure the project reached
completion. The Wetaskiwin Sports Hall of Fame is now
housed in that part of the Civic Centre along with team
trophy cabinets and other historical displays.
Driving Force behind the Establishing of the
Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame
Besides the previously mentioned contributions, Jim was the
“driving force” behind the establishment of the Wetaskiwin
and County Sports Hall of Fame. Under Jim’s leadership a
small group of interested citizens met for two years
developing and planning. The first Induction Dinner was
held in 2006 coinciding with Wetaskiwin’s Centennial
celebrations. It was a huge success and continues to be an
appropriate and classy means to honour athletes and builders
from Wetaskiwin’s sporting history. Jim served as President
of the Wetaskiwin and County Sports Hall of Fame Board for
the inaugural year and up until 2010 has been the major fund
raiser on the Board, soliciting businesses for contributions
and advertising space in the Dinner Program. His
persuasiveness has established a base of funding for the
Boards endeavours.
28
Years of Outstanding Contribution
In 1986 Jim was named Wetaskiwin’s “Citizen of the Year”.
His outstanding contributions to the Icemen Junior “B”
Hockey Club were recognized when he was awarded the
President’s Award in 2000 and again in 2003. Jim also
received Certificates of Appreciation for his contribution
and support of the Community Lottery Board Grant Program
from the Ministers of Alberta Community Development during
both the 1998-99 and the 1999-2000 grant years.
Besides all of his efforts in the sports field, Jim is
involved in many other community activities. He has been a
Legion member for 64 years. In 1999 Jim was chairperson for
the Poppy Fund and for many years he worked on the Poppy
Fund in wreath sales to businesses. He has also chaired the
Legion Annual Golf Tournament and was responsible for the
Legion’s sponsoring of the Pacemakers. He is an active
member and past Director of the Kiwanis Club, the Wetaskiwin
Golf Club, the P.C. Wetaskiwin-Leduc Constituency
Association as well as volunteering for: Tourism Alberta,
Community Services, Salvation Army Christmas
Kettle and Christmas Hamper programs, Camrose Fastball Club
and
the 1988 Olympic Torch Committee.
Considering Jim was a retired senior when he moved to our
community, his contributions to the citizens of Wetaskiwin
and District in the past twenty-eight years are more than
commendable. Even at 89 years of age, he’s still an active
contributor. Jim’s induction into the Wetaskiwin and County
Sports Hall of Fame is definitely justified.
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