A Salmon Arm man is trying to resurrect the now-defunct sports awards night to not only recognize local athletes, but also highlight the importance of having opportunities to live an active lifestyle.

Barry Healey, president of the recently formed Shuswap Sports and Leisure Society (SSLS), is working on organizing the awards for late September or early October to be held at the Prestige Hotel 鈥� which he said is fully onboard 鈥� as they were in the past.

Healey, also a swim coach, explained that Salmon Arm has produced athletes who have gone on to compete and national, international and even Olympic levels and 鈥測ou have to boast that.鈥� He added there a number of prominent athletes that many locals aren鈥檛 aware got their start here. The awards would accomplish that. 

While Healey is still working on the format of the awards, he said there鈥檚 so much they can do, from recognizing those past athletes who have gone on to higher levels, to local participants and coaches to people and organizations that have developed or helped fund facilities. 

Another goal of the awards night is to emphasize the need for recreation in the community. Healey pointed out the many benefits it has to the community, from health to tourism to education.

鈥淚t鈥檚 trying to get sport, not just sport but health, on the agenda,鈥� he said. 鈥淪port... it鈥檚 about trying to give kids a pathway... it鈥檚 about people staying out of the hospital, it鈥檚 about the tourism group, it touches every group.鈥� 

As part of keeping sport alive in the community, the Healey and the SSLS want to help keep facilities open. After the SASCU Indoor Memorial Sports Complex was recently closed, Healey wants to prevent other buildings from facing the same fate, such as the aging rec centre and pool complex. 

With the awards night, at which he鈥檚 trying to get some Olympians in attendance, Healey hopes to accomplish those goals. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 about celebrating what sport does.鈥�