An annual Calgary polar plunge event that raises critical funds to rescue women and girls from sexual exploitation has been canceled due to severe flood damage at its planned venue.
Event Scrapped After Venue Flooding
The Calgary IceBreaker Polar Dip, scheduled for February 7 at the Mahogany Beach Club, has been called off. The decision came after the facility sustained significant damage from flooding on December 2.
Volunteers with the Servants Anonymous Foundation (SAF) made exhaustive efforts to find a new location for the 17th annual event but were unsuccessful. Melonie, the group's Alberta ambassador who withheld her last name for security reasons, expressed profound disappointment.
"This is devastating — we worked tirelessly and I looked at every lake community in Calgary," she said. "The size of our event wasn’t conducive to those other facilities."
Fundraising Goal and Community Impact
The cancellation is a major setback for the volunteer-driven foundation. This year, SAF had set an ambitious fundraising target of $200,000, a significant increase from previous years where they had never raised more than $150,000.
The funds are vital for providing safe housing, job training, and recovery services for women and girls trapped in the sex trade, both in Canada and internationally. The SAF operates globally, assisting victims in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
Melonie also voiced concern that the event's sponsors might withdraw their support following the cancellation.
Virtual Campaign and Future Hopes
Despite the physical event's cancellation, fundraising efforts are continuing. Organizers are encouraging the 70 registered entrants and teams to participate virtually.
"We’re still going to encourage our adamant supporters," said Melonie. "They can take a cold plunge in their backyards or bathtubs for an 11-second dip, which is the average duration of our plunges. I plan to still do one."
This pivot to individual "ice plunges" mirrors a strategy successfully used during the COVID-19 pandemic. The foundation hopes the next full-scale polar dip, where participants often wear costumes before braving the freezing water, will be held in 2027.
To date, nearly $20,000 has been raised for this year's campaign. The public is urged to continue supporting the cause by donating online at calgaryicebreaker.com.
