From left: Councilor Don Cody, Mayor Greg Dionne, Dave Hudak, Brittany Hudak, Rhonda Hudak, and Councilor Dawn Kilmer. (Rob Mahon/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Hudak Presented With Award

Hudak receives Award of Merit from City of Prince Albert

Jul 26, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Brittany Hudak’s hard work has paid off a lot this year, culminating in two medals at the Paralympic Games in Beijing. The Prince Albert product now has another honor to add to her growing list.

Mayor Greg Dionne and the City of Prince Albert presented Hudak with their Award of Merit this morning outside the Alfred Jenkins Field House. For Hudak, this was another reminder of how highly regarded she is in her hometown.

“I’ve had so much support from the city of Prince Albert and it’s always such an honor to come back,” Hudak said. “I just feel like I’m so well supported in my hometown. You never know after you move away if you’ll still be recognized, you’re living in a different community now, but I just feel so much support every time I come back.”

As honored as Hudak was by the award, there was another aspect of the presentation that made it even more special. With the ceremony taking place at the JumpStart Playground outside the Alfred Jenkins Field House, and during a day celebrating inclusion at the playground, the award held even more significance.

“This is how it starts, with facilities and playgrounds being accessible to everyone,” said Hudak. “That’s sometimes where the dreams and the passions start. This is an amazing spot to receive the award.”

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Hudak had a presentation of her own to make to the city as well, handing Dionne an authentic racing bib from the Paralympic Games in Beijing. Dionne said he would get the bib framed as soon as possible.

“Every race I do, we put on a race bib and that’s our number,” Hudak explained. “I competed in six races in Beijing and it’s just nice to be able to give something back that has a bit of significance. There are only so many race bibs at the games that athletes receive. It’s kind of a nice exchange for an award and I think it helps keep a legacy in the city.”

As for that legacy, Hudak is intent on growing it and will go right back to training in order to do so. She’s got a full schedule for the summer, including a stop in New Zealand in August and a trip to California in September.

“It’s kind of nice that we’ve reached a point of a little bit more normalcy through COVID,” Hudak said. “We can go away on training camps again and have our regular competition season.”

Hudak is now based out of Canmore, Alta., which serves as a national training centre for athletes. She said she’s already preparing for the games in 2026.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP