The Athabasca Pacers bid farewell to the community by selling off $1,600 worth of gear in a finale sale at Edwin Parr Composite School June 15-16.
The sale, which included old football equipment as well as team-branded memorabilia, comes after the football program was cancelled September 2017 due to lack of players. Proceeds from the sale are to go to EPC's Food for Thoughts breakfast program and into a scholarship fund to honour the team.
Athabasca Pacers head coach Pete Burden said the sale garnered a lot of interest and was a success, which he attributed to the involvement the team had in the community.
"Our program was a big part of the community. We did a lot of community volunteering," Burden said in an interview. "A lot of people were very sad to see the program go and I think they wanted to try and get a little keepsake from it."
Burden said letting go of all the equipment which the team fundraised for over the years was an emotional experience.
"It was very sad. The kids did so much work to raise the money to buy this equipment and then having to sell it off is a little bit disappointing," Burden said in an interview, adding there was a bright side in getting to see former parents and players over the course of the sale. "We can reminisce about some old times. That part was good."
The 17-year program was cancelled due to safety concerns caused by the small 17-person roster of the club going up against teams of 30-plus players.
Athabasca Pacers president Ty Roddick-Ament said it was sad to see the club come to an end but it will leave behind a lasting legacy in Athabasca.
"I'm very saddened that the program's not going forward, but I think it's legacy with regards to the scholarship potential and the food and school program that the money is going to is extremely positive and important," Roddick-Ament said. "It will be a wonderful legacy for both Pete (Burden) and the Pacers football program."
Roddick-Ament said the members and players of the Athabasca Pacers got a strong sense of community from being part of the team.
"There was an expectation on part of Pete for the players to be good members of the community. To contribute, to volunteer," Roddick-Ament said. "It was really an honour to be part of this program for the past few years. My own son went through this program and he's a better man for having done that."
The team still plans to raise more money by selling it's usable gear and equipment such as training dummies as well as bleachers, to other football teams and schools who may still be able to use it.
"Just kind of a bittersweet moment," Burden said. "But I'm glad people came out. We sold all our merchandise off and that's what we wanted to do. All in all, it was just a really good weekend."
