The Town of Rocky Mountain House town council has accepted a draft letter of interest for the 2026 Alberta Summer Games.

Town administration worked with the Recreation Board at their meeting on June 7 to create the draft Terms of Reference for the 2026 Alberta Summer Games Bid Committee.

The suggested composition of the committee would include one town councillor, one county councillor, one Town staff member, one County staff member and a combination of three Town and County members at large who would be selected by the councillors sitting on the bid committee. The Director of Recreation and Community Services and Recreation Clerk would also provide support in a non-voting role.

During the June 20 council meeting, council unanimously approved councillor Tina Hutchinson as the town councillor on the board.

Town officials say, the Recreation Board members began the process of suggesting possible names of community members that might be approached to sit on the bid committee based on experience with the hosting of the 2019 Alberta Masters Game that were held in Rocky Mountain House. Upon approval of the Terms of Reference and the appointment of the town councillor to sit on the bid committee, officials say the formal process of seeking members at-large will begin. Officials say these members will be confirmed by the Town and County Councillors appointed to the bid committee.

At the May 23 Clearwater County council meeting, council passed the following resolutions:

RES-249-2023 Motion by Councilor Sydney Graham that Council supports the preparation of a letter of interest for the 2026 Summer Games.

RES-250-2023 Motion by Councilor Gennifer Mehlhaff that Council appoints Councillor Swanson to the Alberta 2026 Summer Games Bid Committee

Once the committee has been established it will have until Aug. 31 to prepare the bid package for submission to Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Culture.

Administration says it has also prepared a draft Letter of Interest for council to review. The deadline for submission of the letter of interest is June 30, 2023.

Meanwhile at the town council meeting on June 20, a motion was put forward by councillor Dale Shippelt, which was unanimously passed to accept the draft letter of interest for the 2026 Alberta Summer Games.