The Waskesiu Foundation will celebrate Canadian hockey legend Gordie Howe this weekend at the lake.
On August 4 and 5, the foundation will host a series of events related to the late-hockey player, who called Saskatchewan home.
On Saturday, Gordie’s son Murray Howe will speak at the Hawood Inn about the book he wrote, Nine Lessons I Learned from my Father. e last chapter talks about his last trip to Saskatchewan and Waskesiu with his dad. After the talk, Murray will chat with people and do a book signing.
On Sunday, another book signing will happen at the Heritage Museum, followed by a dedication and memorial sign unveiled at the new outdoor Gordie Howe Memorial Fitness Park. The foundation will also unveil a heritage sign at the golf course.
This year hits two milestones for Saskatchewan: it’s the ninetieth anniversary of Prince Albert National Park and it would have been Gordie Howe’s ninetieth birthday. Fittingly, the Waskesiu foundation named August 5, 2018 Gordie Howe Day.
Director Jim Kerby said Howe “cherished” Waskesiu and would frequent the lake often. Early in his career, he worked at the golf course.
“When not working or golfing, Howe enjoyed swimming and diving at Waskesiu Lake, near the main beach breakwater,” Kerby said. “He also loved fishing, a passion he shared with Prince Albert’s own hockey legend Johnny Bower, an on- ice hockey rival, and close golfing and fishing companion.”
