Former Edmonton Stingers CEO Reed Clarke launches bid for city council

A familiar name in Edmonton sports and business circles is entering the municipal politics arena for the first time.

Reed Clarke, the former CEO and co-owner of the Edmonton Stingers and current CEO of Sport Edmonton, announced his candidacy for city council in Ward Nakota Isga this weekend, bringing what he describes as a “fresh approach” rooted in collaboration, community and economic vitality.

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“I love this city,” Clarke told Postmedia ahead of the launch. “As somebody who grew up and was raised in the ward, bought my first house there, learned to play the sport I love the most — basketball — and still coaches these kids at the Grovenor Community League in basketball, it’s really a full circle moment for me.”

Nakota Isga is the west-end ward that has been represented by Coun. Andrew Knack, who is not seeking another term as councillor but is reportedly considering a run for mayor.

Clarke’s platform is built around three pillars. The first is connected, which is all about building strong relationships among stakeholders, including the province, federal government, police, business leaders, and fellow council members. Clarke believes consensus-building and collaboration are essential to civic government’s ability to “get things done and to move forward with a better Edmonton.”

The second pillar is community, emphasizing Clarke’s deep roots in the area and commitment to enhancing Edmonton’s unique network of community leagues.

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“Edmonton is one big community in my mind,” he said. “I want to embrace and support them, and make everyone welcome in communities, especially in Nakota Isga, and make those safe, inviting places for everybody,” he said.

The third pillar is commerce, reflecting Clarke’s background and his desire to make Edmonton “the best place in Canada to do business,” particularly among major cities. He said he will advocate for quicker permit and licence approvals and stronger partnerships with the private sector to drive “equitable, responsible” development.

“I think working with the business community and having a really good relationship with them is something that’s needed in city council,” he added.

Clarke’s campaign will also lean on his experience in sports leadership. Under his tenure, the Edmonton Stingers became a “community powerhouse,” selling out 70 per cent of their home games and winning the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Community Service award with over 1,000 volunteer hours logged.

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He also founded the Fresh Nets foundation, which revitalizes basketball and ball hockey infrastructure in local parks — something he hopes to expand through the campaign.

‘Fresh approach’ to engagement

Former mayor Stephen Mandel was among the attendees at Clarke’s launch party on Saturday, during which the host gave away door prizes from his sports apparel company City of Champs.

He did not indicate whether he plans to join a political party, such as the one being put together by mayoral candidate Tim Cartmell. He did say that an early priority for the next council is to restore Edmonton’s nickname as the City of Champions — a move that Cartmell also supports.

Though new to politics, Clarke said that’s part of what he brings to the table.

“I’m not a politician. I haven’t been active in politics, and I want to take a fresh approach to how I can get my message out there to people,” he said. “I would love to host and then be invited to a lot of these community gatherings. I want to make that a really great opportunity for all the residents in that community to be able to have a real easy conversation, face to face with me, about things that we can address.”

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On pressing issues like housing, infrastructure and public safety, Clarke isn’t offering fixed prescriptions just yet. Instead, he’s prioritizing listening directly to residents and asking questions. As part of that, he also acknowledged the importance of engaging marginalized and under-represented groups.

“You’ve got to put a lot of miles on. I pride myself on (being) somebody who is involved in the community,” he said.

“I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty and be there. I think actually being on the ground will allow me to have those real conversations in a community league, in the playground.”

This will be Clarke’s first run for elected office, and while he admits to being “excited and nervous,” he said the timing feels right to “jump on this ride.”

— With files from Steven Sandor

cnguyen@postmedia.com 

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