Local organizations partner to launch Drayton Valley and Area Hall of Fame: Nominations open

The Drayton Valley Thunder Junior Hockey Club and Drayton Valley Community Hockey Association, in close partnership with the Town of Drayton Valley, are establishing a Drayton Valley and Area Hall of Fame.

The new civic honour is intended to recognize citizens who have made transformative, enduring contributions that have significantly shaped the history, identity and future of the Drayton Valley region.

There are three nomination categories, which focus on sustained excellence and community impact, including:

• Community Builder and Pioneer (individual, couple, or family group): This category is intended to honour long-term, visionary efforts spanning 20+ years, which have fundamentally advanced the community, culture, or infrastructure of Drayton Valley.
• Arts, Culture and Heritage Icon (individual): This category will be dedicated to recognizing those who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, preserved local history, or contributed a significant body of work that enriches the cultural life of the region.
• Specialized Achievement (individual): Reserved for individuals who have achieved distinction in an essential, specialized field, such as healthcare, education, public service, or industry, resulting in widespread community benefit.

Nominees must have a strong connection to the region in addition to demonstrating exemplary character. Organizers say contributions typically must have been sustained for at least 15 years.

Additional details:

• Status: Nominees may be living or deceased.
• Nominee type: Nominees may be an individual, married couple, or family group.
• Selection process: Successful nominees will be chosen by an independent, confidential committee of community leaders. For the 2026 induction cycle, the committee is aiming to select one to three candidates.
• Candidate consent: All selected candidates, or their nearest living relative or estate representative in the case of deceased nominees, must provide formal written consent prior to their induction being publicly announced.

Nominations must be submitted digitally to dvhof@draytonvalleythunder.ca by 4 p.m. on Dec. 17.

Successful nominees will be celebrated on Feb. 20, 2026, at a gala at the MacKenzie Conference Centre. Tickets for the event will go on sale in December.