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Altagas fuels Canadian cross-country skiers' drive for the podium

FasterSkier · September 19, 2007

Canmore, Alberta – Canada’s elite level National and Para-Nordic Ski Team athletes embarked on a marathon quest through the Rocky Mountains where, after roller skiing from Canmore to the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, they received the ultimate reward at the finish line — one of the largest ever financial contributions for the national program.

AltaGas Income Trust (AltaGas or the Trust) (TSX:ALA.UN) announced a significant, multi-year financial commitment to support the nation’s high-performance cross-country skiers and fuel their drive to the podium. The commitment, valued at more than $500,000, is the largest philanthropic contribution ever by AltaGas Income Trust. The two organizations made the announcement prior to AltaGas’ annual corporate golf tournament at the world-renowned Kananaskis Country Golf Course, an hour west of Calgary.

“This is truly a thrilling and exciting day for our program that will ensure Canadian cross-country skiers remain amongst the best athletes in the world at the development and elite levels,” said Al Maddox, executive director, Cross Country Canada. “AltaGas shares our vision and commitment to winning, and with their support, we can deliver the resources Canadian athletes need to propel them to the international podium, while also supporting the development of our future cross-country skiing heroes. We are delighted to have them on our team.”

With this significant financial contribution, AltaGas becomes one of the official partners of Cross Country Canada. As a result, AltaGas will help support elite-level coaching and associated services necessary for the success of Canada’s National and Para-Nordic Cross-Country Ski Teams. More importantly, the partnership ensures the success of cross-country skiing well into the future by supporting the next generation of athletes. AltaGas will also fund the employment of two new assistant coaches — one at the National Team Training Centre in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and the other at the Pierre Harvey National Team Training Centre in Quebec City. It will also sponsor youth training and development camps across the country. In addition, AltaGas donated a GMC Envoy vehicle to Cross Country Canada during the media conference.

“We are extremely proud to extend our financial commitment to help these great athletes achieve success on the world stage,” said David Cornhill, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AltaGas. “It is our hope that this contribution will not only help put Canada’s elite cross-country skiers on top of the podium, but will build strong grassroots programs across Canada so that amateur athletes have the skills, coaching and backing they need to realize their potential.”

In recognition for their generous contribution to the national program, the Canadian National and Para-Nordic Men’s Team’s will be sporting the AltaGas logo on their race toques. The logo will also be prominent on the entire men’s and women’s team race suits, training and casual wear.

“Having new opportunities to pursue excellence through sport will change the lives of aspiring Olympians in every corner of this country,” said Brian McKeever, who has racked up a plethora of Paralympic medals, and last year became the first Canadian athlete with a disability to ski in an able-bodied World Championship event. “This much needed funding will ensure Canadian cross-country skiers remain competitive with the best in the world, and we are proud that AltaGas will be with us on the nordic trails across Canada and around the world.”

McKeever was joined at the media conference by 13 other athletes and three coaches on the National and Para-Nordic Teams including: Olympic gold medallist Chandra Crawford; Olympic silver medallist Sara Renner; and World Cup medallist Devon Kershaw.

AltaGas Income Trust is one of Canada's largest and fastest growing integrated energy infrastructure and services organizations. The Trust creates value by growing and optimizing assets and services across the energy value chain to serve North America's energy demand. Since 1994, AltaGas Income Trust has expanded its business to include natural gas gathering, processing and transmission, extraction of ethane and natural gas liquids, power generation, marketing of natural gas and natural gas liquids, as well as retail energy services to commercial, industrial and institutional end-users across Canada.

Source: Cross-Country Canada

Altagas fuels Canadian cross-country skiers' drive for the podium – FasterSkier