The early morning light breaks through Regina’s cloud cover as a small gathering forms outside the Wascana Sports Complex. Old teammates, coached players, and civic leaders merge into a crowd of shared memories. They’ve come to honor Pete Paczko, the man whose fingerprints are on nearly every sports field and community rink in the Queen City.
“Pete never wanted the spotlight,” says Marian Wolitski, wiping away tears as she adjusts the memorial photo of her former colleague. “But his work touched thousands of Regina families over four decades.”
Paczko, 73, passed away last Tuesday after a brief illness, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that transformed Regina’s sports landscape. His journey began as a physical education teacher at Miller Comprehensive High School in 1975, but quickly expanded beyond classroom walls.
“He wouldn’t just teach skills – he built community,” recalls former student Janice Keller. “When our neighborhood couldn’t afford proper baseball equipment, Pete organized fundraisers and convinced local businesses to sponsor us. That was just who he was.”
By the mid-1980s, Paczko had established the Regina Youth Sports Foundation, which worked to ensure every child had access to athletic opportunities regardless of economic barriers. The foundation has since provided over $3.5 million in equipment, facility improvements, and program subsidies throughout Saskatchewan.
City councillor Debbie Wohlberg remembers Paczko’s persuasive advocacy during budget meetings. “Pete would come armed with participation statistics, health outcomes, and these heartfelt stories about kids finding their confidence. You couldn’t say no to him – he made sports infrastructure feel essential rather than optional.”
His most visible achievement stands in the North Central neighborhood, where the Pete Paczko Community Center offers year-round programming for at-risk youth. What began as a modest proposal in 1998 has evolved into a vital community hub serving over 15,000 visits annually.
“The city wasn’t initially interested in the project,” explains former mayor Michael Fougere. “But Pete gathered 6,000 signatures and brought dozens of community partners to the table. He showed us how sports could address deeper social issues – from keeping kids away from gangs to building neighborhood pride.”
Saskatchewan Roughriders alumni have been particularly vocal about Paczko’s influence on professional athletics. Former defensive back Eddie Davis credits him with saving his career through an innovative rehabilitation program after a devastating knee injury in 2005.
“Pete pioneered these recovery techniques before they were standard,” Davis explains. “He’d studied physical therapy approaches from Europe and convinced our team doctors to try them. Within months, I was back on the field when everyone thought I was finished.”
Beyond his public achievements, those closest to Paczko remember a man who carried equipment in his trunk to impromptu street hockey games and who personally drove children to practices when transportation was an issue.
“He noticed everything,” says longtime friend and coaching partner Thomas Kwong. “Pete would spot a kid wearing worn-out shoes and somehow new ones would appear the next week. He never mentioned it – just quietly took care of people.”
Provincial sports organizations have announced plans to establish a Pete Paczko Memorial Scholarship for young athletes pursuing coaching careers. The initiative has already received $250,000 in commitments from local businesses and athletic associations.
Current Miller High School principal Sarah Johnston says Paczko’s philosophy continues to shape their athletic program. “He always said sports weren’t about creating professional athletes but building professional humans. We still quote him in our coaching handbook.”
As Regina’s sports community mourns, many point to the ongoing expansion of the city’s northeast recreation complex as Paczko’s final victory. He had lobbied for improved facilities in the growing area since 2012, and construction finally began last September.
“He visited the construction site weekly until he got too sick,” says site manager Raj Patel. “Pete would examine the blueprints and suggest little improvements – maybe moving a bench to be more accessible or adjusting a viewing area for grandparents. He thought about everyone.”
The Regina Sports Hall of Fame, where Paczko was inducted in 2007, has established a memorial display featuring his coaching whistle, tattered playbook, and the red baseball cap he wore to countless youth tournaments.
“Pete’s legacy isn’t just in buildings or programs,” reflects current Youth Sports Foundation director Kimberly Onrait. “It’s in generations of Regina citizens who learned about teamwork, perseverance and community through sports. That’s something that can’t be measured.”
A public celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday at the Brandt Centre. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to maintain free sports programming in underserved Regina neighborhoods – continuing the work that defined Paczko’s remarkable life.
