Sometimes it is a great feeling when you are on the "WINNING" side.

When Prince George was awarded the 2015 Canada Winter Games the entire city united, with arms in the air and fists pumped, and gave one big "YES". It did not matter if one was on the bid committee, sold cars, worked in an office, attended school or was unemployed everyone in P.G. connected.
At that one special moment, seniors, baby-boomers, adults, teens, children, and tiny tots, regardless of wallet size, political affiliation or moral beliefs, amalgamated as one. In fact, it did not even matter if you were a sports fan.

Now, stop and think of this occasion. How often do the residents of Prince George experience a moment like this? Not everybody in P.G. cheers for the Cougars, the Spruce Kings or the UNBC Timberwolves. Not everybody dislikes the HST (I said everybody not overwhelming majority). Not everybody agrees with the boss' decision. Not even everybody in this town knows who Meisner is. One could sense a tremendous pride that Prince George, not Kelowna, not Kamloops, not anywhere else, would be welcoming the nation in 4 ½ years.

The economic impact will be significant. In fact, this area will enjoy a spin-off of $70-90 million. This means local jobs, local facility upgrades and many intangibles that one can not put a price tag on. When spirits are lifted and one shares a common goal the "whole" community benefits.

In the past, Prince George residents have been disappointed, many times, particularly in hockey. The WHL Cougars and the BCHL Spruce Kings have, year in and year out, tested our collective patience. Losing for both of these teams has become habit forming.

However, the disappointment doesn't end there. In many circles, Prince George was the front runner to host the 2012 Telus Cup national midget hockey championship, yet the honour went to Leduc, Alberta even though many people believed it was BC's turn to host the championship.

In the college sphere, many people thought UNBC's basketball application to join the CIS was a slam dunk, yet it was Kelowna's UBC-O that got the nod. (Earlier TRU of Kamloops was also accepted into CIS). That decision left Prince George still in the "minors" of college basketball despite having the best facility and best fan base.

Kamloops and Kelowna can boast about many things, including winning Memorial Cups. However, for once their civic pride and ego took a bruising, and despite strong presentations they were beat fair and square by Prince George. Residents in those cities will be like everyone else and will only be able to watch the 2015 Canada Winter Games live if they travel north. Hey, we will keep an eye out for a seat sale.

The Prince George Bid Committee, spearheaded by Les Waldie, and Mayor Dan Rogers, deserves accolades for landing the largest multi sport event to ever be held in Northern British Columbia with 3700 athletes, 4000-plus volunteers, 1300 officials, media, medical professionals, and thousands of visitors entering the city. Whether or not you support Rogers political views, in this case, he can take a bow like everyone else who had a hand in putting together the best bid package.

Prince George has successfully hosted other major sporting events including the Royal Bank Cup, Scott Tournament of Hearts, Road to the Roar, B.C. Senior Games, World Baseball Challenge, Little League Nationals, Senior Baseball Nationals, Fastball Nationals, Slo-pitch Nationals, CCAA Basketball Nationals, Short-Track and Junior Short-Track Nationals, Ringette Nationals, Legion Track and Field Nationals, Air Canada Cup Midget Hockey Nationals, Aboriginal Hockey Nationals, and even the Broomball Nationals to name some of the many.


However, now this city will experience a different challenge, on a bigger stage, with much preparation time ahead. There is no question that Prince George will amalgamate to host a memorable, unforgettable, enjoyable and impeccable, Canada Winter Games. The big benefactors will be each person in the host community.

 

Like I said, winning can be a hell of ah lot of fun. And that is a welcome change. 



From the Quote Rack:  

So Toronto Maple Leafs management is working through the embarrassment of announcing that former coach Pat Burns had died. Nope, he's still alive and kicking. Which is more than can be said for the Leafs playoff chances. 



Josh Hamilton, who has had substance abuse issues, says he will deal with the champagne celebration when the Texas Rangers clinch the division, by having “goggles on, duct tape over the mouth and either a wetsuit or raincoat,” so he doesn’t even get bubbly on his skin. Of course, a more long-range solution to this worry, get traded to the Cubs.

Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California (www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com)

 

Russell Branyan of the Mariners was actually injured when falling out of a chair at a pizza parlor.
When asked what happened, he simply said 'Dough!'

Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen wears a mask that has the likeness on it of actor Chuck Norris. That explains why sometimes Lehtonen is Missing in Action.


Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California

 

Not sure who has the hardest record to justify... Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach defending the Oil Sands... Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe defending the Oilers or Calgary GM Darryl Sutter defending his personality.


Former Arizona Cardinals QB and devout Christian Kurt Warner was surprised when he heard so many people were praying for him. It turns out fans were asking for divine intervention so he would be kicked off Dancing with the Stars so he could go back to the team.


Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)

I’m not saying that Derek Jeter’s shameless acting display to convince the umpire that he was hit by a pitch that actually hit the nub of bat was unworthy of baseball, but the International Soccer Federation gave it two Vuvuzelas up.

Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York

 

That world famous soccer fan who promised to run through the streets naked if Paraguay won the World Cup is featured in Playboy in Brazil.
Nice vuvuzelas!

Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/

 

Raphael Nadal has confirmed a $525,000 Richard Mille watch was stolen from his locker during the Rogers Cup. Police say the watch will be hard to sell without drawing attention and the thief is living on borrowed time.

 

 

There's a report that 14 per cent of Americans live in poverty. However, that does not include U.S. citizens playing in the CFL.

Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.