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About Canada's Sports Hall of Fame

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a charitable organization. Charitable Registration # 118828631 RR0001

ABOUT US:
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is a registered charitable organization and as Canada’s only national museum of sport, we are the connection to the heroes of Canadian sport who inspire a better Canada. Since our inception in 1955, we have proudly curated the narratives of over 740 Hall of Famers spanning nearly 80 sports that have woven the tapestry of Canada’s history. Rooted in national pride, our values of respect, excellence, and fairness resonate not only within the realm of sport but also in the broader context of life.
 
As a national heritage institution, our mission is to empower the pivotal role sport plays in shaping Canada’s future. Through a myriad of initiatives including national education programs, digital community exhibits, and public nominations for the Order of Sport Award, we actively engage Canadians of all ages from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Our vision extends beyond mere recognition; we strengthen national unity, celebrate diversity, and champion Canadian excellence through the unifying force of sport. Looking ahead, we aim to offer access to Canada’s most comprehensive digital archive of sporting history, integrate the lessons and values of sport into every classroom, and celebrate the icons who embody the connection between sport excellence and community.

OUR MISSION:
We empower the pivotal role sport plays in shaping Canada’s future. 

  • In recognizing role models
  • In the community
  • In the classroom

OUR VISION:
Building Canada through the Transformative Power of Sport.

OUR VALUES:

  • Respect
  • Equality 
  • Fairness
  • Openness
  • Excellence
OUR AIMS:
  • We recognize the highest level of sporting accomplishment with the Order of Sport honour. 
  • We celebrate diversity, inclusion, accessibility and reconciliation. 
  • We are community builders.
  • We celebrate competitive spirit converted into community spirit.
  • We connect sport + social purpose.
  • We educate all Canadians on the values, history, and culture of sport.

Our History

The story of a national hall of fame devoted entirely to Canada’s sporting history started with the efforts of one man, Harry Price. In 1947, as chairman of the Sports Committee for the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), he traveled across the country trying to enlist support to build a museum dedicated to Canadian athletes past and present; a place to celebrate the many achievements by Canadian athletes in the world of sports. Eight years later it was announced that the Stanley Barracks at the CNE grounds in Toronto would be home for Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. The opening ceremonies took place on August 24, 1955 and featured the symbolic lighting of a flame that became the central image for Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s logo.

When the Hockey Hall of Fame came on the scene in 1957, the two Halls joined forces and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame relocated to the Administration Building/Press Building on CNE grounds.  The two organizations co-habited this facility until the Hockey Hall of Fame moved in 1993 to its new location in Brookfield Place, downtown, Toronto, ON. After the Hockey Hall of Fame moved, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame closed and the prized collection of sport stories and artefacts was put in storage at the Stanley Barracks.

In 2008, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Board of Governors launched a national bid process to rejuvenate and grow Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame – to find a new home. Nine cities bid on this opportunity and Calgary was declared the successful city. Only a few months later, all three levels of government committed to fund the construction of a 40,000 square foot facility that would be built on the west side of Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.

The new Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame building opened July 1, 2011 – offering 40,000 square feet of space dedicated to preserving and celebrating Canada’s impressive and inspiring sport history. Inside the new building, visitors are able to visit 12 galleries, experience dozens of interactive visitor experiences, watch an 11-minute feature film highlighting great sport moments in the 125-seat Riddell Family Theatre, and learn about Canada’s sporting traditions and artefact, video and photo collections in the Education and Resource Centre. School programs are offered to local schools and a Virtual Distance Learning Program is being developed for students and communities across Canada to ensure all citizens can experience this national treasure.

About Us