Clive Craig, a 77-year old volunteer and former Recreation Director in Esterhazy, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) this weekend at the 2019 SPRA Awards Gala in North Battleford. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award presented by SPRA.
“Clive is a living legend in Saskatchewan’s recreation community,” said Todd Shafer, Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association. “He was a mentor to me, and one of the guides on my journey when I was as young recreation professional in Yorkton.“
“He’s also one of the nicest, most committed people I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Shafer.
Clive has strong prairie roots, and has lived in a number of communities, including: Moose Jaw, Thompson, Winnipeg, Martensville, Calgary, Elrose, Esterhazy and Yorkton. After graduating high school in Moose Jaw, Clive spent a few years working in media, community programming and the Canadian Pacific Railway. He attended Recreation Tech School in Calgary, AB, and in 1976 became the Recreation Director in Elrose. A few years later, Clive moved to Martensville, and after 22 years as the Recreation Director in the community of Esterhazy, he retired.
Some of Clive’s involvement in the early years of sport included: stick boy, assistant trainer and board member of the Moose Jaw Canucks, stick boy for the Moose Jaw Pla-Mors Senior Hockey Team and the Moose Jaw Ladies Senior Hockey Team. He was Director of the Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League, and held positions of “bat boy,” manager and director for several fastball teams and leagues in Moose Jaw.
In every community he has lived, Clive connected with local sports and recreation as a volunteer and/or a practitioner. He held positions of member, director and president in many different recreation, hockey, baseball, golf, soccer and multi-sport organizations. His leadership in sports and recreation has existed within the Parkland Valley District for many years.
Clive has volunteered on the Boards of the Qu’Appelle Valley Recreation Association, Parkland Recreation Inc. and Zone 4 Sports Council. He was on the host committee of 2005 SPRA Provincial Conference, and involved in the Western Canada Bantam Hockey Championships. For many years, he has been involved with Mission Staff for the Saskatchewan Games.
Provincially, Clive was involved on SPRA committees and served on their Board of Directors for twelve years. He took on a six year term, taking a break for one year (as per the criteria), and returned for another six year term. His dedication is so admirable that the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association formally recognized him in 2004, granting him the Award of Merit, and in 2011, he received the SPRA President’s Award of Distinction.
Clive has been instrumental in progressing recreation at the local, provincial and national level and has left an indelible mark on the recreation industry and all of the people who have had the privilege of working with him.
