QEII overpass in Innisfail named in honour of rodeo legend Jack Daines

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

“The fact that this will forever be known as the Jack Daines Memorial Overpass is really special, not only to his family, but to the agriculture industry and central Alberta,” he said.

Last seen June 4

Missing: Maash Hasan Hussein, 21, of Red Deer

57m ago

Eight safety presentations

Hundreds of Grade 5 students attend Lacombe County Farm Safety Day

1h ago

Memorial Overpass

QEII overpass in Innisfail named in honour of rodeo legend Jack Daines

2h ago

“Naming this overpass in Jack’s honour is a fitting tribute to the legacy he left behind. He was a competitor, announcer, promoter of rodeo and tireless fundraiser for many groups and organizations over the years. The Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo, which Jack founded in 1961, is a major stop on the pro rodeo circuit to this day, attracting fans from across the country.”

Daines introduced Mutton Busting, which is a children’s sheep riding event, to include kids in the world of rodeo. He was inducted as a builder into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, as well as the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2000.

He also operated the Innisfail Auction Market for decades and competed as a saddle bronc rider and won multiple Canadian titles in the 1950s.

Daines’ son Duane said their family is very honoured by the recognition.

“It was a bit of a surprise, and it’s really a nice legacy for our family. We’ve been here for a long time, like a lot of families, and we’re looking forward to the future too,” Daines said.

“He was always about working hard, being at your best with whatever you’re doing, whether you’re in the cattle business or the rodeo world.”

Dreeshen explained that over the last two years, the government has named infrastructure to honour local heroes, including two bridges on southwest Anthony Henday Drive in Edmonton, in honour of Constable Travis Jordan and Constable Brett Ryan of the Edmonton Police Service.

In 2024, they also named two bridges over the Bow River on Stoney Trail in northwest Calgary after Corporal Nathan Hornburg and in 2025, the new wildlife overpass on the Trans-Canada Highway, near Lac Des Arcs, in honour of former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed.

He said they are currently looking at other major infrastructure in the province to name after other local legends.

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8CFfOm0IxM