Volunteer Drive For 2015 Games Now In Full Swing
Saturday, April 14, 2012 @ 3:36 PM
Host Society President Anthony Everett accepts the $10 million dollar cheque from MLA’s Shirley Bond and Pat Bell
Prince George, B.C. – The purpose of the gathering on the main concourse at Pine Centre was two-fold: unveil the logo for the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George and create enough excitement to make people want to get involved in the volunteer effort that will be required to make the games a success.
First came the video presentation displaying the games logo and the official stamp of approval of the logo provided by the group of athletes on hand who will be competing in the games. And who better to drum up the excitement for the volunteer drive but John Furlong, the former CEO of the Vancouver-Whistler Winter Olympic Organizing Committee.
Federal, provincial and local dignitaries and hundreds of residents were on hand as Furlong described the “wonderful adventure that lies ahead for the north, the province and the country.” He says the logo will communicate to the people of B.C. and Canada the spirit of the north and also makes one say “I want to be part of this.” Furlong says he told people during the games bid process that “the people of Prince George will do an extraordinary thing and will makes these the best games there have ever been.” He urges people young and old to get involved because “people will find the time they put in will be such an enriching, powerful thing and they’ll be able to say I played my part, I stood up and said yes.” Furlong says as the games evolve this will become a monumental moment in time. “Once you do this the city will have a confidence, vibrancy and spring in your step and you will be proud of what you have accomplished.”
Two thousand people have volunteered so far, and up to 6,000 are needed in total. Those wishing to volunteer can do so at www.canadagames2015.ca
The event also provided a concrete commitment of funding for the games from both the federal and provincial governments. Each level is pouring $11.12 million into the project to account for nearly half of the games approximate $50 million budget. Bal Gosal, the Minister of State for Sport from the federal government was at the event with Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris to confirm Ottawa’s participation. And the B.C. government’s Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Ida Chong, attended to confirm Victoria’s contribution. One million dollars had previously been handed to the 2015 Games committee to get the ball rolling, and today Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond gave the chair of the host society, Anthony Everett, a cheque for $10,120,000.00 to fill out that promise.
Mayor Shari Green acknowledged the efforts of members of council and former Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers for their hard work in securing the games and moving them along. Green urges everyone to sign up to volunteer. She says “it will take everybody to work together to make this an amazing experience… but all of the people that believe in Prince George, believe in the region have worked hard to get these games, we earned it and we can show all of Canada what an amazing place this is.”
Comments
Cue the usual comments about photo ops.
I heard their main task is pothole duty!
The first 5 people hired for the Winter Games make over $100,000.00 per year. Once all paid staff are in place, they will turn to the citizens to volunteer and do the grunt work. Afer the games the politicians, and staff will take the bows.
People are busy signing up to get a referendum on a borrowing issue. Seems the same people who want us to volunteer, do not want us to have any say in how, or when they borrow money, or what they spend it on.
The Federal and Provincial Governments were on hand to take credit for giving us back some of our tax dollars, however there was no mention in the article about the $15 Million or more that Pr George taxpayers will have to put up. Seems our money doesnt warrant a mention.
In any event the fat is in the fire, and they will have to make the best of the situation, however it will take a hell of a lot more that hyperbole, and smiles.
Well said Palopu!
Another one of those strange venues that run on bullsh*t and hype and allow businesses and corporations to come in and make money…and the taxpayers get to pay for it all…bigtime!
In the case of the 2010 Olympics…for a long time to come!
They were directly responsible for the cut backs to so many social programs and services and played a large part in much of the debt B.C.is packing now.
Not that the B.C.Liberals will ever admit that.
That 10 million would have fixed a lot of potholes!
“The first 5 people hired for the Winter Games make over $100,000.00 per year. “
Nailed it. I wonder what events of significance these people ever created and led on a volunteer basis…
One mill had previously been handed to the 2015 Games committee to get the ball rolling,
What mill is that? What does that mean?
It means one million dollars given previously so the one plus 10 matches the Feds at $11 Million
If the feds are giving $11 million and the province is matching with another $11 million, for a little over $22 million…that still leaves $28 million of the $50 budget for PG taxpayers to pay for????
>>however there was no mention in the article about the $15 Million or more that Pr George taxpayers will have to put up. Seems our money doesnt warrant a mention.
into the project to account for nearly half of the games approximate $50 million budget.
“however there is no mention in the article about the $15 million or more that the Pr George taxpayers will have to put up.”
Nailed it,Jim13135
And that figure is probably very low.
Something else we should have learned from the 2010 Olympics.
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