With a flag raising Monday, a Torch Run on Wednesday, an opening ceremony on Thursday, and competitions on Friday and Saturday, the Special Olympics BC Games are set to bring plenty of excitement to Prince George this week.
Co-Chair of the Organizing Committee Lyn Hall said putting the final touches on everything has gone well.
“Volunteers was a big push, I think now we’re somewhere in excess of 850, but we’re still taking people who are interested,” he said.
“As I’ve always said, if you have an hour to give, we’ll certainly be pleased to take that.”
In terms of the events themselves, Hall said everything is just about ready.
“The venues are all ready to go, we’ve had a great working relationship with City staff,” Hall said.
Hall noted with athletes staying at local schools, School District 57 has been a great partner as well.
“Of course we’re going to hold one sport event at Duchess Park Secondary, basketball,” he said.
“We’re ready to go from all the major areas, when you talk about wrapping the bow on it, the opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies are just hours away from being solidified and I think we’re in great shape there.”
Hall said while he’s looking forward to everything surrounding the games, he’s looking forward to the opening ceremonies as it sets the tone for the whole event.
“We have all of the athletes, we have all of the coaches, volunteers, the chef staff, all of them are going to be at CN Centre for the opening ceremonies,”
“When you look out over the crowd, that is really the kick off and that’s what is so exciting for me to see that happen.”
Hall said the plan is to keep the opening ceremonies fairly short.
“We’re going to have some opening remarks, and Renee and I are going to have the opportunity to thank everybody and welcome them to the City,”
“We’re going to have the AiMHi Choir do a couple of songs, O Canada included, we’ve got some entertainment from Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and it is really just to, if you will, light the cauldron to start it all off.”
The opening ceremonies are set for Thursday evening at the CN Centre, starting at 7:30.
Hall said he’s also looking forward to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, set for Wednesday at 10:00. The route for the run will start at the RCMP Detachment on 5th Avenue and Victoria, and head down Winnipeg Street and Massey Drive before heading north to the CN Centre on Ospika Boulevard.
“The Torch Run is really symblematic of the Special Olympic Summer Games,” Hall said.
“What’s really neat about it is that in and around Fire Hall #1, and where we have the basketball, tennis and pickleball courts on the corner there and by Carrie Jane Gray park sign, there’ll be little events happening in there and we’ve love the public to come out and cheer the torch runners on.”
Hall said he’s heard from the local athletes who will be participating in the games, and they’re excited.
“Even those athletes that participate locally that aren’t in the games, they’re volunteering, they want to do whatever they can to help out,”
“Provincially, we hear a tremendous amount from provincial coaches, we hear from the chefs that are coming, they’re excited to come to Prince George, and the athletes are all geared up for it, that’s the common theme that I’m hearing, that just makes things more exciting for us as an organizing committee.”
More information on the games as well as a schedule of events can be found here.
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