100 Mile House's friendly, social & entertaining online news source!

2011 Northern BC Winter Games Postponed; Sport Leadership Summit to be held

Citing challenging economic times and volunteer fatigue, the Northern BC Winter Games Society and the host community have decided to postpone the 2011 Games in the District of 100 Mile House.

"It is with regret that we have to decline this opportunity, but without a sufficient number of volunteers, we couldn’t host an event like this," said Mayor Mitch Campsall. "In a community this size, we tend to get the same committed people volunteering for all of the events and at some point, they need a break."

Because there is insufficient lead time to find another community to host the 2011 Games, some of the funds earmarked for the 2011 Games will be used to hold a Sport Leadership Summit that year. Moving to a biennial schedule, the next set of Games will be in 2013 with the bidding process to start in early 2010.

"Our society recognizes that communities are fatigued and it is important that we continue to move forward," said Wade Loukes, President of the Northern BC Winter Games Society. "This was a community and Society decision and we are very pleased that government is supporting our request for an alternative investment in sport in the North. In the absence of these Games in 2011, we intend to deliver our sport summit, which will help build stronger sport communities in the North."

"Sport in the North is important," said Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong. "We will continue to provide funding support in a way that will work best for the people in the North, and work with community partners to find ways to increase sport programming and coach development throughout the region."

The Northern BC Winter Games, held in communities north of Clinton, provide a multi-Games experience for about 1,000 athletes in 16 sports.