Greater Vernon selected to host 2022 B.C. winter games
Special to The Okanagan Saturday
Eric Foster, MLA for VernonMonashee, acting on behalf of the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, announced today that Greater Vernon will host the 2022 BC Winter Games.
“It will be a great community event, a lot of fun, and a $2 million economic boost to Vernon,” Foster said as he made the announcement.
The games will take place Feb. 24-27.
“The BC Games are a stepping stone for younger athletes to higher levels of sports in Canada and the Olympics,” Foster said, making note of freestyle skier Justin Dorey and para alpine skier Josh Dueck who competed at BC Games as a first step.
More than 2,100 athletes, coaches, managers, and officials will participate in approximately 19 sports.
Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund, who chaired the 2012 BC Summer Games, gave credit to Doug Ross, Director of Recreational Services and his committee of Shane Wright and Emma McGinty for preparing the bid during the past five months.
“Much of their work was done on their own time,” Mund said. He added that five years might seem link a long time to prepare, but, “the real work starts in 2020.”
Juliette Cunningham, Chair, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee said that the BC Games are, “a celebration of the local community where volunteers always step up.”
Glen Taylor, representing the District of Coldstream said they were excited to partner with Greater Vernon to host the games. “It will be an exciting time.” Fifteen-year old Gaben Kersey competed in the triathlon in the 2016 BC Summer Games in Abbotsford spoke not only about the competition, but of getting to know the other athletes in his sport during the three days they lived together. “It was fun, but we also received advice and knowledge from the coaches.”
Greater Vernon hosted successful BC Winter Games in 1992 and 2012, as well as the 1982 BC Summer Games. The community is wellknown for hosting major events including the 2014 RBC Cup, Canada’s National Junior A Hockey Championships, the 2011 Cross Country Skiing World Masters Cup, and the annual Funtastic Sports Music Festival.
The Games will be organized and staged by a community Board of Directors and up to 2,000 volunteers. Kyler Nurmsoo, Event Manager for the BC Games said the provincial share of the budget will be $525,000, and that sum will be augmented by the municipalities and sponsors. Any profits from the Games will result in a legacy fund for the region.