KANANASKIS, Alta. — Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, the 274-room mountain retreat, has donated $5,000 to Skate Global Foundation (SGF). The non-profit organization is co-founded by Elladj Balde, a figure-skating icon renowned for his performances on the ice and advocacy for inclusivity within the sport, fostering equity, diversity and inclusion, promoting mental-health awareness and addressing climate change.
“We’ve been captivated by videos Elladj Balde has shared skating across lakes throughout the Alberta Rockies, continuously awestruck by the joy and soul he infuses into his artistic expression of the sport,” says Liz Hovey-Smith, general manager, Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge. “In addition to him being a long-awaited guest of ours, we’re honoured to have his team shoot an authentic reel showcasing his talents on our pond, against the backdrop of our lodge and surroundings. The lodge fully aligns with his mission to foster inclusivity in the sport and it felt essential to support SGF. We’re excited to build upon our relationships with Elladj and his team for years to come.”
“I’m deeply grateful for the generosity of this donation, as it will directly influence the lives of young BIPOC athletes, empowering them to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence in figure skating,” says Balde. “Together, we can empower and uplift racially marginalized youth facing barriers in the sport and inspire competitive BIPOC skaters to reach their goals and achieve their dreams while simultaneously creating more representation within the sport for future generations.”
