The theft of a trailer containing specialized sports wheelchairs has dealt a devastating blow to an Alberta basketball club that provides crucial opportunities for athletes with disabilities. The incident, which occurred in Stony Plain, has left the organization scrambling to recover equipment valued at approximately $65,000.
“We’re completely heartbroken,” said Lisa Franks, program coordinator for the Alberta Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball Society. “These aren’t just wheelchairs – they represent independence and inclusion for our athletes.”
According to RCMP reports, the trailer was stolen from a storage facility in Stony Plain sometime between August 23 and August 26. The white 16-foot enclosed trailer contained fifteen specialized sports wheelchairs, each valued between $4,000 and $5,000, as well as basketballs and other essential equipment.
The Northern Lights organization serves approximately 150 participants across Alberta, ranging from children as young as six to adults, providing weekly programming that many athletes with mobility challenges depend on. The stolen equipment represented nearly half of the society’s wheelchair inventory, forcing the cancellation of several scheduled programs across the province.
What makes this theft particularly impactful is the specialized nature of the equipment. Sports wheelchairs differ significantly from everyday mobility chairs, featuring angled wheels, specialized cushioning, and custom adjustments that make them suitable for competitive play.
“You can’t just replace these with standard wheelchairs,” explained Frank McDonald, a longtime coach with the program. “They’re custom-fitted to the athletes and designed specifically for the quick movements and stability needed in basketball. It’s like having a professional cyclist’s bike stolen – you can’t just grab any bicycle off the rack.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for the organization, which was preparing for its fall season launch next week. Programs in Edmonton, Red Deer, and several smaller communities will be affected, potentially leaving dozens of athletes without access to the sport.
Local athlete Jenna Peterson, 17, who has participated in the program for five years, expressed her frustration: “This is the one place where my disability doesn’t define me. On court, in those chairs, we’re just athletes. I don’t know what I’ll do if we can’t get back to practice.”
The Alberta Northern Lights has deep roots in the province’s parasport community. Established in 1976, the organization has helped develop several Paralympic athletes while providing recreational opportunities for Albertans with physical disabilities. Their programming focuses not just on competitive development, but on social connection and physical literacy for participants of all abilities.
“Many of our athletes come to us feeling isolated,” Franks noted. “Wheelchair basketball gives them community, confidence, and a sense of belonging. The equipment being gone isn’t just a financial hit – it’s taking away something fundamental from people who’ve already faced significant challenges.”
The RCMP is asking the public to watch for the distinctive trailer, which bears Northern Lights Wheelchair Basketball logos on both sides, or any attempt to sell specialized sports wheelchairs. The society is also working with local businesses to review security footage from the area.
Meanwhile, the basketball community has rallied behind the organization. A GoFundMe campaign launched Tuesday has already raised nearly $12,000, while several local businesses have offered temporary storage space and transportation assistance for remaining equipment.
“The response from Albertans has been incredible,” said McDonald. “People understand that this equipment represents more than just sports gear – it’s about dignity and opportunity.”
The society is now working to borrow equipment from other programs across Canada while they determine how to rebuild their inventory. Insurance will cover some losses, but the specialized nature of the equipment and rising costs mean there will likely be significant out-of-pocket expenses.
As the investigation continues, the Northern Lights organization remains hopeful that increased awareness might lead to the return of the trailer and its contents. RCMP Constable Sean Thompson has urged Albertans to remain vigilant: “These wheelchairs are distinctive and not easily sold. Someone knows something, and we’re asking them to do the right thing.”
For now, the focus remains on minimizing disruption to programming and ensuring athletes can return to the court as soon as possible. As Peterson put it: “We just want our wheels back. This program changes lives, and we can’t let whoever did this take that away from us.”
