Our History

Hal Rodgers, founder of Kinsmen Club of Canada and distinguished war veteran, brings his vision of a service club to life. In the spirit of camaraderie and helping the community, Hal and 11 men gather for the first-ever Kinsmen Club meeting in Hamilton, Ontario.

“Serving the communities’ greatest needs,” the Kinsmen Club grows to reach 103 clubs across Canada. The club aids in the war as both soldiers fighting for Canada and at home as a “war service club” that assists in total war efforts (most notably, “Milk for Britain”).

Wives of Kinsmen (Kinettes) become more active in service efforts and are given official recognition. The Kinette Club of Canada is officially formed.

Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon is formed with its original volunteers. Members of the club ranged from judges to drywallers and everyone in between.

First Kinsmen Car Awards is held with a brand new 1929 Ford Model A as the grand prize. The event kickstarted fundraising efforts that have topped $13 Million so far for the Saskatoon community.

City Park in Saskatoon is renamed "Kinsmen Park" to honour the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon for all the improvements to this park. It becomes a cherished natural play space and relaxing escape right in the heart of the city.

Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon starts building paddling pools in the community to encourage childhood physical literacy. Next time you are with the kids at the pool, take a look for the Kinsmen plaque on the building.

The first Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner is held. Frank Strombathy hosts the first Kinsmen Sports Celebrity Dinner, raising over $20,000 for the community of Saskatoon. Since then we’ve hosted everyone from Maurice Richard to Joe Montana.

Kinsmen Football League is formed bringing the joy of sportsmanship to the young men of Saskatoon.

Kinsmen celebrates their First Track & Field Championships, helping teach school children the value of healthy competition.

Kinsmen Club builds the Kinsmen Arena in the Holiday Park neighbourhood. The community rink has played host to thousands of hockey games and practices for people of all ages.

In February 1977, the first Telemiracle was televised on six Saskatchewan tv stations. The telethon featured provincial and national performers raising $1,214,210. The donations went to specialized mobility, medical equipment, and medical travel assistance to the people of Saskatchewan.

Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon builds the first Kinsmen Home and raffles it off for $100 per ticket, the same prices as a ticket is today. This would be the first of a celebrated yearly initiative which raises millions to better the Saskatoon community.

Kinsmen Hockey League is established giving underprivileged children from 12 community schools the opportunity to play the classic Canadian game of ice hockey.

Thanks to funding from the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon, the Kinsmen Henk Ruys Soccer Centre opens giving Saskatoon Adult Soccer Inc. & Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc. their dream of an indoor soccer space. This club is now home to more than 10,000 soccer players in the community.

Kinsmen Inner City Track Club is assembled. The Club gives children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate a chance to run, jump and build character.

The Kinsmen Park gets a major modern upgrade with the help of Nutrien and becomes a celebrated local attraction with amusement rides and a luscious open green space in the city.

Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon honours the legendary Gordie Howe at the annual Sports Celebrity Dinner by renaming the Kinsmen Arena to the Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arena.