Pieces falling in place for Western Canada Summer Games
Swift Current City Council heard a glowing report when they had their final face to face meeting with board members and staff helping organize the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games.
With the calendar flipping to August, the August 9 to 18 Games are now figuratively just around the corner.
Games Co-chair Mark Benesh helped provide an update to City Council at their July 29 meeting, which was just 10 days away from the start of the Games.
“1,700 athletes and coaches are making their way to Swift Current and the Southwest, and we are so excited to welcome them to our community,” Benesh said on Monday.
He said extensive work is now going into the finishing touches by organizing teams and committee volunteers.
“Our venue teams are very busy this week too to commission their venues up. So we have to set all the venues up, everything from tables and chairs to ensure a proper WCSG look is in all of the venues, all our signage. To completing the final walk throughs to ensure everything flows as efficiently as possible for volunteers, participants and spectators.”
Benesh is impressed by the volunteers who are jumping on board to make the Games a success.
“The level and number of volunteers that have stepped up to assist with this great undertaking is a true testament to how amazing the people of the Southwest really are.”
He noted that as of Monday morning there were 1,333 registered volunteers, but that total does not reflect the large groups that are showing up to lend a hand in setting up who are not registered.
This past Monday at Irwin School he participated in the Athlete’s Village set up.
“It was an incredibly rewarding experience to see everyone pitch together, 50 or 60ish people, all with the common purpose of setting up Irwin School rooms into athlete dorms - unloading pallets, bunk beds, frames, railings, all working together, problem solving, supporting each other, keeping the focus positive. It hit every aspect of community that we imagined when we build our mission, vision and values.”
“I was very proud of Swift Current and our greater community.”
Co-chair Melissa Shaw noted that the first major event of the Games will be held this weekend when the Share The Spirit Torch Relay will be held on August 3, 4, and 5. Day one of the relay will be held starting from Market Square at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 3. The middle day of the Torch Relay on Sunday will be hosted at Lac Pelletier Regional Park, starting at 10 a.m. from the north end of the lake and ending at Ona’s Beach where a ceremony will be held. The final leg of the relay is being hosted on the holiday Monday at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, with the relay starting at 1 p.m. and a ceremony to follow at the Main Beach.
“Over the course of three days you will see local athletes, coaches, volunteers and overall inspiring people carry the torch through different legs of the Relay.”
She said this leads up to the anticipated moment on August 9 when the caldron will be officially lit during the opening ceremonies.
She took the opportunity to direct a thank you to the Games sponsors, funding partners and communities for their support.
“Without their investment and hard work we could not make these Games the success that we know they’re going to be.”
Shaw also pointed out how the community is rallying around the Games in a number of ways.
“The feeling around Swift Current is undeniable. The excitement is building. You see businesses placing the Games decals in their windows. Residents phoning the office and asking questions. Tickets and merchandise being purchased, as well as visitors coming into the community. We are confident that the Games are going to be a top notch event, and that our community will be proud of it.”
“Our community is about to embark on a 10 day journey with 16 different sports, with 1,576 athletes and coaches… four different cultural festival nights, opening and closing ceremonies, as well as 42 medal ceremonies.”
She reminded the public the sporting event tickets can be purchased at City Hall and online up until August 5. As of August 6, ticket sales will be moved to the Games box office located at the Innovation Credit Union iplex.