ParticipACTION Legacy Lives On - U of S to host world-leading archival collection and interactive website

Posted September 27, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 27, 2004 2004-09-15-OTHER

ParticipACTION Legacy Lives On
U of S to host world-leading archival collection and interactive website

The University of Saskatchewan announced the establishment today of the
historic archives and a new interactive website relating to ParticipACTION -
the internationally respected pioneer in promoting an active, healthy
lifestyle. This collection of resources is one of the world's largest
related to successful strategies for physical activity and health promotion.

The collection - comprised of over 1,000 television, radio and print
messages, extensive educational resources and information on successful
strategies - is also being made available, in both English and French, via
www.participaction.com.

University President Peter MacKinnon said: "This is a significant collection
for the University Archives. Students and faculty will benefit
considerably in terms of research from this donation. Given the faculty and
alumni who were involved in ParticipACTION from the start, this collection
also represents an interesting aspect of University history. Moreover,
through www.participaction.com, health and physical activity leaders around
the world will be able to benefit from this unique Canadian success story -
today and in the future."

ParticipACTION's national Board Chair, Marilyn Knox of Toronto, said: "The
University and leading citizens from Saskatoon provided invaluable support
over many years. The ParticipACTION Board of Directors therefore readily
agreed that these archives and this world accessible website should be a
cooperative initiative with the University of Saskatchewan."

Former ParticipACTION President, Russ Kisby, expressed appreciation to the
Canadian Council of Archives, Canadian Heritage, for its financial support.
He also expressed his enthusiasm for this archival resource and website.
"Thanks to the cooperation of the University of Saskatchewan,
ParticipACTION's legacy will continue to make a difference for many years to
come", he said.

For thirty years ParticipACTION was the physical activity conscience of
Canadians. The organization also played a direct role in helping to
establish similar national campaigns in some 25 countries world-wide.

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For more information, contact:

Laurel Rossnagel

Development Officer, College of Kinesiology
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-1105