The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame is looking to continue its momentum after a record-setting 2023.
More than 21,000 people visited the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame throughout 2023, which is the most in a single year throughout the site's history and a 12 per cent increase from 2022, according to the organization's annual report released earlier this month.
"The Hall of Fame is going to be celebrating its 25th anniversary in this location coming up soon, so we're definitely trending in the right direction. It's very exciting," said Tracey Kinsella, executive director.
"We also saw growth in our social media numbers, as well as our engagement with our alumni, and provincial and national organizations."
Kinsella said she feels more people are coming to the Hall of Fame because it offers an interactive experience for families.
"We believe kids and youth want to have a hands-on approach. We love that we're an interactive space," said Kinsella.
"Digital learning has a place as well, but kids still want to kick around a soccer ball. They want to shoot a basketball. We provide that space for them."
Earlier this year, Kinsella was joined by Hall of Fame alumni Terry Jones and museum operations manager Breanna Suk for a tour of 13 major museums in Ontario and the United States. The trip included visits to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont., the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
"We wanted to do some upgrades here at the Hall of Fame — that's going to be the next area of focus — and to be great, you need to learn from the greatest," said Kinsella.
"What we were looking for is what's out there and what are the trends at these other facilities. We were even taking notes of simple things, like the lighting or the signage. We learned how they were conversing with their alumni."
Kinsella said the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame team will take what they've learned from the tour and bring them to Central Alberta.
"Many facilities have that 'wow factor' when you walk into the building," said Kinsella.
"We want to make sure we bring that feeling too. We have an important part here to tell Alberta's sports history. We are the only provincial hall of fame. We feel that's important and we have a responsibility — we want to do that the best way we can. That's completely our focus for the next 18 to 24 months."
