Peter Zakreski remembered for his mark on Saskatoon

Peter Zakreski is being remembered for his generosity and ability to make big things happen.

The humanitarian, sports organizer and former Saskatoon city councillor died on Wednesday at age 80.

Former Saskatoon mayor Don Atchison was once Zakreski’s political opponent. They both ran for mayor in the 2003 civic election.

Atchison won by nearly 4,000 votes but said there weren’t any hard feelings.

“He was absolutely fantastic,” Atchison told 650 CKOM. “He was just a great guy. He was no nonsense: ‘Let’s get the job done and let’s do it right.’ ”

Zakreski’s legacy reaches far beyond Saskatoon city limits, according to Atchison.

“Peter is a truly significant loss not only to the city (and) the province but to the world and his family,” Atchison said.

Of Zakreski’s many accomplishments, his work on the world junior hockey championship stands out to Atchison.

“He was a true visionary,” Atchison said of Zakreski’s work. “Saskatoon was the very first place to have a guaranteed profit from that (world junior hockey championship) and that was $1 million, and that had never been done before.”

“I was so pleased when I was able to name the Peter Zakreski Park for him (in Stonebridge),” Atchison added. “Every time I look at that sign, it puts a smile on my face.”

Current Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark sent his condolences in a statement.

“We have lost an incredible community builder. Peter Zakreski has left a legacy in Saskatoon that reflects so much of who we have become as a city. He has been central to life in sports, politics, business, philanthropy, arts, community safety, and more,” the statement read.

Clark went on to mention Zakreski and his wife Elaine’s work on the Hope for Malawi project.

“We are a better community because of Peter’s leadership. He will be missed,” Clark’s statement said.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Erin McNutt