Dave Leaderhouse
Special to the Herald
This is the sixth in a series of articles about the athletes, coaches, and builders who make up the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026. The induction ceremony will be held at the Ches Leach Lounge on May 2. The first article ran in the April 18 edition of the Daily Herald.
In order for something to succeed there has to be someone wanting it to be successful and for more than 40 years Prince Albert has been fortunate to have Carol Soles involved in a multitude of activities that have not only been successful, they have been trailblazing.
Soles, along with a host of other notable people in the sporting community, will be honoured for their accomplishments when the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame holds its annual induction banquet on Saturday at the Ches Leach Lounge.
“I’m so humbled – blown away,” said an emotional Soles when asked how she feels to be enshrined in the local hall in the Meritorious Service to Sport category. “I worked some bingos and wrote some checks. I really don’t think I belong there.”
Everyone else will disagree.
Soles has left her imprint on numerous groups specifically the Prince Albert Sports Council which she was a director from that organization’s inception in 1985 until operations ceased in 2025. She is a past board member of the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame and has served on the City of Prince Albert’s recreation board.
Any major event in the past 40 years such as the Saskatchewan Summer or Winter Games, Western Canada Summer Games, Junior Men’s World Softball championship or the Saskatchewan Senior Fitness Association’s +55 Games has seen Soles lend a hand whether it be entering data or raising funds or a variety of other duties.
Her volunteer efforts aren’t limited to the sporting community either as she has also been involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Terry Fox Selection Committee, among others.
While stepping up to help in any way she can is easy for Soles, she says the genesis for her involvement is gratitude.
“When our daughter was diagnosed with an illness the community rallied behind us to help us get her to Toronto for treatments,” says Soles. “You never forget those things.”
“I wanted to give back,” added Soles. “I’m not an athlete, but I can raise money.”
Her hard work, especially with the Sports Council, allowed others to chase their dreams and she happily points out fellow inductee Joel Mihilewiz as an example of someone benefitting from funding to attend national and international events.
“It’s great seeing someone like Joel go to an event and have success,” says Soles.
As is the case with anyone who gives of themselves freely Soles is no different when passing on thanks to those who supported her.
“You can’t be gone all the time to meetings or events unless you have someone at home who is there for you,” notes Soles. “(Husband) Dick allowed me to do all of this.”
Her entry into the Sports Hall of Fame is the latest in a long list of recognition for her work as she has previously been presented the YWCA Woman of Distinction, Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, North Central Regional Recreation Association volunteer award, City of Prince Albert Award of Merit and Big Brothers Big Sisters Big Sister of the Year among others.
This latest acknowledgement, however, has special meaning.
“I made lifelong friendships (through sports) and to think I belong here just blows me away,” says Soles.
A large crowd will be in attendance on Saturday to say thanks and whether she believes it or not, she does belong and will be forever regarded as a leader in the sporting community.
The 34th Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 at the Ches Leach Lounge at 7 p.m. For tickets, contact Jody Boulet at pashof@citypa.com.
