Lheidli T'enneh drummers play as dignitaries take stand for official opening of Kin 1       250News photo

"It is said what you think and what you talk about expands into action, we are witnessing that now."

                         – Lheidli T'enneh Elder, Darlene McIntosh, during her blessing at the Kin 1 Opening

Prince George, BC – Speaker after speaker at this afternoon's official opening of the $16.5-million newly renovated Kin 1 Arena heralded the event as a major milestone – the capital upgrade will be the largest legacy to result from hosting the 2015 Canada Winter Games in one year's time.

BC Minister of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development, Coralee Oakes, thanked the contractors for building an extraordinary facility.  Oakes pointed out this is the first time the Canada Winter Games will be held in BC.  She said the province is a proud partner in making that happen, contributing $11-million dollars in funding towards the two week sporting and cultural event.

"At every sporting venue that I've been over the past few months, I've been proudly telling the story about how the North is getting ready for this exceptional Games," said the Minister.  "And how ready they're going to be to host Canada, to host the athletes, here in Prince George."

Prince George-Valemount MLA, Shirley Bond, prompted a crowd 'wave' when asking for a show of hands from those who'd spent time in the stands of the old Kin 1 watching their youngsters skate.  She told of her four-year-old grandson's desire to be called, "Sid the Kid", and pointed out Sidney Crosby and Hayley Wickenheiser are CWG alumni.  "Do you know that 41-percent of Team Canada that is in Sochi today, came from through the Canada Winter Games program?  That's why this is so important," said Bond.

"And for those of us who love hockey in our hometown just think of how this arena will be available for our children and our families and our grandchildren."

Prince George Mayor Shari Green said the new Kin 1 came in on-time and on-budget, and is the result of a lot of hard work by a team of people.  She acknowledged the Project Manager, Greg Anderson, who retired from the City just a few weeks ago, saying "he's very, very proud of this building and what we've been able to accomplish."

Green also thanked the user groups who juggled their schedules while the city was down one ice surface.  "I think they will say it was worth the wait because they've got a beautiful arena."

With many former CWG athletes in Sochi, the Mayor drew attention to a painting that hangs above the entrance inside the arena – it was painted to commemorate the celebration held to mark Olympic torch coming through Prince George on its way to 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Games.  "(Those athletes) started in a place like this, in a community like ours, and so I hope that we'll see young athletes on this ice in the years to come who will look up and see that piece of art and be inspired to reach their dreams."

Photo below shows the official ribbon cutting, l-r, 2015 Canada Winter Games CEO Stuart Ballantyne, Canada Games Council Rep Paul Flaherty, Mayor Shari Green, BC Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes, MLA Shirley Bond, MLA Mike Morris, Lheidli T'enneh Elder Darlene McIntosh, Chief Dominic Frederick, 2015 Canada Winter Games Chair, Anthony Everett