Prince Albert Minor Football President Taras Kachkowski (left) looks over at Kristian Whitter after unveiling the sign renaming the field in honour of Wendell Whitter, Kristian's dad. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

Deserved Recognition

P.A. football field renamed to honour past builder

Sep 27, 2025 | 5:00 PM

The football field within Thomas Settee Park has a new identity.

The field, sandwiched between Branion Drive and Cook Drive, was renamed to Wendell Whitter Field during a ceremony on Saturday morning that included family, friends, and city officials, like Ward 8 councillor Darren Solomon, whose son played for the River Riders.

Whitter was a longtime face of Prince Albert Minor Football (PAMF), coaching with the River Riders pee wee football teams from its inception in 2008 until his death in 2018.

“It feels warranted,” said Wendell’s son Kristian. “He spent so much time here, and it was an honour for the family for this to happen, especially after all these years.”

“He was a very humble man,” he continued. “He probably would have shielded away from it or turned it down, not thinking that it was warranted or deserved or earned. But, you know, there would be a great sense of pride. He [wouldn’t have] showed it, but he definitely would be proud of what happened here today.”

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A sign was unveiled during the ceremony that will be hung on the exterior of the next-door Crescent Heights Arena, a sign that not only says the name of the field, but also proudly reads “Home of the Prince Albert Minor Football Association”.

The Whitter family stands around the new sign that will be erected next to the field. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Current PAMF President Taras Kachkowski noted that Whitter was a very active person in the community, serving as a pastor at his church while also coaching other sports on top of football, like archery and hockey.

“I am very thankful to have met Wendell and to have gotten involved in Minor Football,” Kachkowski said. “It’s become such a central part of my life between coaching, and reffing, and being on the executive now. Without football, my life would be very, very different.”

Ryan Hughes was on the inaugural Prince Albert Minor Football board that formed in 2006 and said the honour couldn’t have gone to a more deserving guy.

“Wendell probably spent more time on this field over a 10-year span than any other person. He was first here, the last to leave, and always showed up for his coaches, players, and parents. He loved his sport. 
He loved this sport. This field was just a field before Wendell, his love turned it into a football field. I can’t think of a more suitable namesake for this turf.”

The newly renamed field was already seeing its first bit of action immediately following the ceremony as field lacrosse teams were preparing for their game as part of the 2025 Saskatchewan Field Lacrosse Provincial Championships.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @loganlehmann.bsky.social