I love the headline. Nothing like a little false enthusiasm.

Actually, it's pretty amazing considering all of the faciities in the lower mainland and okanogan. They must be pretty booked for someone to want to train 8 hours away by vehicle.

I hate to be so cynical, but how much is hosting this kid going to cost us? Does he get free icetime or does he have to pay for it like the rest of us?

How about a little enthusiasm and respect for an athlete of this calibre? I applaud the City of PG, and the Spruce Skating Club, for welcoming Denis Ten with open arms. This is a tremendous opportunity for our skating community! As far as training this far north goes, I would think it might be beneficial for an athlete to get away from the Olympic fever, and train in a quieter place. Just because we live in the north region, doesn't mean we can't contribute to a sport in a significant way. If we had an NHL hockey player coming, I doubt any one would question it!

How much is she gonna spend to help our towns economy? Be specific.

ejc, I admire your positive attitude - and I mean that sincerely. But at the same time, when we're closing schools, cutting back on medical procedures, and a past city council spent $70,000 to go to the Olympics in Italy - on the justification it would enhance PG's "international" reputation, a little cynicism is justified.

There's an old saying - okay not so old because I think I made it up myself - "Momma doesn't get her Vodka until baby get's his shoes."

If this skater is paying his own way, great. Or if the club is paying his way - super. But if my Dad is waiting for back surgery because I'm paying for this kid to come here - not so good. When our schools, medical system, road system our property funded, then I'll try to get up a little more enthusiasm. And I would be just as ticked if it was Trevor Linden coming and I was footing the bill.

Remember the big cargo jet landing at the airport? Same hype here. Zilch before and probably not much after. I suspect this had more to do with The coach of the local club making some phone calls back to the motherland.

On another note, this is a 16 yr old kid who is taking the opportunity extended to him to try to do his best on the olympic stage. A daunting task for anyone at any age.

Of course the local political bigwigs will exploit the hell out of this itty bitty visit, but leave the youth alone to train and do his best. He doesn't need the aggravation to offset or affect his goal.

and I am sure, it just happened by itself.


Someone did some work to make this happen, thank you, for keepint us on the map

Sure why not, it would be better than the Cougars on ice.

amen HE, amen

Is there ANYTHING in this world that some people in PG would not complain about? I swear, if we found the cure to cancer, ended world hunger or brought about world peace, someone in PG (likely hundreds of people based on how things go around here sometimes) would go on a rant about how it took too long and how the money spent on it would have been better off going towards pothole repair.

bang on NMG. These comments are so predictable and sad. Its here and its happening and theres no going back, so how about you posters who feel the need to re write history and award the games someplace else, take an olypmpic puck size valium and enjoy the games. There will be plenty of opportunity after the games to save education, the environment, the whales, the poor, the airport, the sports center, the pot holes and stop any and all pipelines. For now,admire the efforts of these athletes and welcome the world and be thankfull you don't live in Haiti.

Hmm I think the Olympics, big business, and our lovely premier are so predicablly sad in how they negativly impact the tax paying British Columbians.

NMG - well said.............

The fact is $70,000.00 was spent to attract athletes to train in PG. At the end of the day none of the Canadian Olympic hopefuls made PG their home for training.
If the skater rents the ice for 8 hours a day for 5 days revenue at $150.00/hr works out to $6000.00. So PG spends $70,000.00 and gets $6,000.00 in revenue. Hardly earth shattering.
With deals like this it is no wonder taxes increase dramatically each and every year.