0172.0001: The Cranbrook Fliers championship basketball team – 1933. Back row: Owen Haley, Jim Brooks, John Parkin, Ed Haley, Garnet Blain, Walter Jostad. Front row: Bobby Muirhead, Benny Parker, Alex Williams.
Sports and competition have been a part of the Columbia Basin since earliest times. When Supt. Steele and the North West Mounted Police got ready to leave Fort Steele and pull back to Fort Macleod, they celebrated by inviting the Ktunaxa people to a sports day. Early on there were logger sports days, drilling competitions for miners, hose reel races and always horse racing.
In the 1920s baseball, hockey, soccer and basketball organizations were formed. School competed against school, city against city in organized leagues. Bowling and billiards were also seen as competitive sports. Outdoor sportsmen from all over the world came to the Columbia Basin seeking wildlife trophies.
In the 1940s Cranbrook had a pool constructed by the Gyro Club, advertised as the largest outdoor pool in western Canada. Cranbrook swimmers and divers competed in many community events.
Today Cranbrook prides itself as home to the Kootenay Ice hockey team. It is also home to many world class athletes.
0185.0001: An April 26, 1913 advertisement from The Prospector for the Victoria Day celebration to be held in Cranbrook May 24th, with a programme of horse racing and athletic events.
0039.0165: A long view of Cranbrook’s outdoor Gyro Pool showing the sand beach, fenced shallow area and the 125’ by 250’ pool – c. 1950.
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