The Heart of a City: How Bruce Saville Built a Legacy Beyond Business in Edmonton

Image credit: Citynews

The city of Edmonton is grappling with a profound loss following the passing of business leader and philanthropist Bruce Saville at the age of 80.

He was a man whose generosity and vision were as vast as the Alberta sky, leaving an indelible mark on the community he so clearly loved.

While known internationally for his incredible business acumen, here in Edmonton, his legacy is etched into the very fabric of our city's sporting and community life.

His death from a heart attack while recovering from back surgery sent shockwaves through the city, a sudden end for a man who seemed to be in perpetual motion.

His wife, celebrated curler Cathy King, described a man who was working on new projects right from his hospital bed, a testament to his unending drive.

The foundation of his immense philanthropic power was built through sharp intellect and entrepreneurial grit.

In 1982, Bruce Saville founded Saville Systems, a software company that provided sophisticated billing solutions to telecommunications giants around the globe.

From a small Edmonton startup, the company grew to employ over 1,700 people, becoming a major force in the tech industry.

When he sold the company in the late 90s, the proceeds didn't just fund a quiet retirement; they fueled a new chapter of unprecedented community building.

Perhaps his most famous contribution to Edmonton was one born of pure civic pride.

In 1998, the Edmonton Oilers were on the brink of being sold and moved to Houston.

The thought of losing the five-time Stanley Cup champions was unthinkable to many, but it was a very real threat.

Bruce Saville answered the call, becoming a key member of the Edmonton Investors Group (EIG), a collection of local business leaders who pooled their resources to buy the team.

It was a bold, risky move driven not by profit, but by a fierce loyalty to Edmonton.

Former Oilers GM Glen Sather and Hall-of-Famer Kevin Lowe both spoke of Saville’s deep passion and his desire to do what was best for the city, ensuring its identity as a major hockey town remained intact.

But his love for sport was never limited to the hockey rink.

He was a passionate supporter of curling, sponsoring countless teams over the years, including that of World Curling Hall-of-Famer Kevin Martin.

His support for the sport was not just financial; it was foundational.

This dedication is immortalized on the south campus of the University of Alberta.

The Saville Community Sports Centre stands as a monumental testament to his vision.

His significant donations helped turn a dream into a world-class reality, a facility that is now home to national training programs and thousands of athletes.

With 10 sheets of curling ice, numerous basketball and volleyball courts, and a massive gymnastics centre, it serves everyone from recreational leagues to Olympic champions.

It is, in every sense, a hub of community and athletic excellence that bears his name with pride.

His work as a community builder extended far beyond the realm of sports.

He served on numerous boards, including the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and NAIT, and was a governor of the University of Alberta.

For over a decade, he chaired the Inner City Agencies Foundation, tirelessly advocating for the city's most vulnerable residents and tackling the complex issue of homelessness.

This quiet work defined the character of the man behind the headlines.

Friends and family remember a man with an immense heart, whose generosity was both grand and deeply personal.

He was known to take young Oilers players under his wing, offering them a safe place in a new city.

Even in his final days at the hospital, his wife shared a story of him wanting cash to buy treats for the nurses he said were so good to him.

It was a small gesture that spoke volumes about his character.

Bruce Saville was a self-taught computer programmer who saw an opportunity and built an empire.

But more importantly, he was an Edmontonian who saw a need and built a community.

He invested his fortune back into the city that gave him his start, creating opportunities, saving institutions, and fostering a spirit of athletic excellence for generations to come.

His name may be on a building, but his true legacy lives in the countless lives he touched, the team he helped save, and the city he profoundly shaped.

FAQ

What was Bruce Saville's biggest impact on Edmonton sports?

While his role in the Edmonton Investors Group that saved the Oilers from relocation is iconic, his funding and vision for the Saville Community Sports Centre created a lasting, multi-sport legacy that supports athletes from the grassroots level to Olympic champions in curling, basketball, volleyball, and more.

How did Bruce Saville make his fortune?

Bruce Saville founded Saville Systems in 1982, a software company that developed and marketed billing solutions for the global telecommunications industry. The highly successful company grew to over 1,700 employees before he sold it in the late 1990s, which provided the capital for his extensive philanthropic work.

What other causes did Bruce Saville support in Edmonton?

Beyond sports, Bruce Saville was deeply committed to social causes. He served as board chair for the Inner City Agencies Foundation for 11 years, was a member of the Edmonton Homeless Commission, and was a board member for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and NAIT, showcasing a broad commitment to Edmonton's health and social well-being.