Two Year Countdown to Winter Games Is On
Saturday, February 16, 2013 @ 4:24 AM
.jpg)
(Games ice sculpture was on view as Lac des Bois choir sang O Canada. Photos – 250NEWS)
Prince George, B.C. – The two-year countdown to the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George is on.
The culmination of a week of games-related events came Friday night outside Canada Games House at 5th and Quebec Street with what organizers billed as an event to say thanks to the people of Prince George, an opportunity to celebrat5e the community and the people who live here.
There were 2015 Games-eligible athletes on hand and all sorts of activities in the parking lot across the street. A snow hill was constructed for the snowboard rail jam, there was free snowboard and cross-country waxing available, free food, a large outdoor screen playing videos, ice sculptures, cultural booths and it was all capped off by a fireworks show atop Connaught Hill.
MLAs Shirley Bond and Pat Bell were on hand, Bond announcing a $390,000 games legacy grant from the province, and Bell urging people to sign up as volunteers for the games. Mayor Shari Green acknowledged the Lheidli T’enneh as a strong partner of the City and the Canada Winter Games. She thanked the federal and provincial governments for their support and called it “an incredible day to celebrate the two-year mark for when the games and the nation come to Prince George.” Green called the games “a game-changer for Prince George, we all know that. There’s no looking back for this city. I’m so excited to move forward with all of you with this event.”
Paul Flaherty with the Canada Games Council says the 2015 games will be the largest multi-sport event ever to come to Prince George and northern BC. He says ‘it’s such an exciting opportunity for young people to be part of.” He noted being involved in the 2007 Whitehorse Canada games and the excitement they generated, adding “I’m sure you’re going to be very much the same way. The entire experience is such a rush.” He also noted that the two-year out mark is an important time “to bring the community together and really rally to put on the best games ever. So it’s an opportunity for everyone to get involved, volunteerism, whether it’s supporting media, or sponsoring the games. I encourage you that if you’re not involved today, look for the opportunity to get involved.” Flaherty says when you see the torch lit there’s a sense of pride in knowing that you were part of the group that made it happen.
Comments
Great event last night. My and family and I had a fun time.
Fireworks were awesome, we watched them from work. Sometimes it pays to work outside.
Great event last night promoting the winter games….does anyone know many dollars the City of Prince George has contributed to these games and to the development of the various venues?
Comments for this article are closed.