Shirley McClellan
Prairie Baseball Academy (PBA) wishes to introduce the Honorable Shirley McClellan into the Builder/Community Leader category of our Hall of Fame.
She currently resides in New Brigden, Alberta where she farms with her husband, Lloyd, and their family.
Shirley was born in Hanna, Alberta, where she learned early on about the importance of education. Shirley knew that you needed to find ways to stand at the front of the line if you wanted to accomplish your goals. Be it with sports, politics or in life, Shirley always found a way to stand at the front of the line. Shirley's work ethic and passion for her community to this day, make her an incredible addition to our PBA Hall of Fame.
Shirley was first elected to the Alberta legislature in 1989, and served her constituents until she resigned in January 2007. Shirley served six terms as the member of the Legislature for Drumheller/Stettler. Oddly enough, Ralph Klein resigned the same day as Shirley. Makes you wonder who really was in charge of the Alberta Government during the Ralph Klein era!
Shirley held numerous senior cabinet posts over the years, including: Minister of Health, Minister responsible for the Wild Rose Foundation; Minister responsible for the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission; Minister Responsible for Seniors; Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations; Minister of Agriculture; Minister of Finance; Chair of the Treasury Board; and probably her most passionate appointment, Minister of Community Development. Shirley was appointed to this post in 1996. However, as her role changed within government, Shirley always made sure to stay involved in Community Development. It was here where Shirley’s passions were exhibited to the citizens of Alberta. She was always willing to lend an ear for projects, that would better Alberta communities. She was very influential and successfully directed government monies for well thought-out parks and community centers. She was always there for her community.
Shirley had a vision and recognized the value that hockey rinks, community centers, parks and baseball fields brought to communities. She visualized an environment where people could come together to be involved in an activity.
Such was the case with the Lloyd Nolan Yard baseball facility. Shirley McClellan was instrumental in the construction of the Lloyd Nolan Yard facility. She could see the value that the Lloyd Nolan complex brought to the baseball community in Alberta and Canada. Shirley loved to watch baseball – she frequented games in Las Vegas, Ottawa, and, of course, at Lloyd Nolan Yard. Shirley took a keen interest in developing student-athletes in a first of its kind college baseball program in Southern Alberta.
It took visionaries like our 2021 PBA HOF inductees to see a project of this magnitude through. Today, there are close to a dozen high school and college baseball academies competing each year in Alberta. The growth of baseball would not have been possible without individuals such as Shirley McClellan. For that, the PBA family owes her our sincerest gratitude.
The Prairie Baseball Academy would like to officially congratulate Ms. Shirley McClellan, on her induction into our PBA Hall of Fame for the class of 2021 in the “Builder/Community Leader” category.
Full Article Here : https://prairiebaseball.ca/news/?article_id=256
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