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Sport has been a cornerstone of our citys growth for as long as people have come together for community gatherings. One such place where the citizens of south Edmonton gathered regularly was the Southside Athletic Grounds, located at 104 Street and 76 Avenue.
Old timers tell many stories of the great times and accomplished athletes that visited the athletic grounds. Dominion Day, the title of this mural (July 1st), was the feature day of the year when people would bring their picnic baskets and spend the day taking part in activities or cheering for local athletes who competed with the best in the world as they represented their city.
Horse racing, track and field, automobile racing and
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cycling all took place at the same venue for years. Tag Kim has captured a period in time from approximately 1920 – 1950 when the grounds were home to most Strathcona summer sport events.
Jockey Johnny Pollard was always popular at the track and Torchy Peden, a world class cyclist would come to Edmonton to enter the cycling events.
Buster and his brother, Joe, were members of a long time top rated senior hockey team called the Gainers Superiors. As a track star sprinter, Buster represented Edmonton and Canada at the first ever British Empire Games in 1930 and at the Olympic Games in 1932.
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