Vernon – On behalf of the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon-Monashee, announced today that Greater Vernon will host the 2022 BC Winter Games.
Greater Vernon hosted successful BC Winter Games in 1992 and 2012, as well as the 1982 BC Summer Games. The community is well-known 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 BC Winter Games are an important developmental milestone for B.C.’s emerging high performance athletes. Over 2,100 athletes, coaches, managers, and officials will participate in approximately 19 sports. Athletes such as Vernon’s own Justin Dorey (freestyle skiing) and Josh Dueck (para alpine), competed at the BC Games as a first step towards success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
BC Games host communities benefit from direct economic impact, community and sport development legacies, as well as the opportunity to engage volunteers in a celebration of community pride. The Games will be organized and staged by a community Board of Directors and up to 2,000 volunteers.
Three other communities were announced as hosts of future BC Games in separate events held simultaneously today: the 2020 BC Summer Games will be held in Maple Ridge, the 2020 BC Winter Games in Fort St. John and the 2022 BC Summer Games in Prince George.
2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the BC Games with the BC Winter Games taking place in Kamloops and the BC Summer Games in the Cowichan Valley.
Quotes:
Eric Foster, MLA for Vernon Monashee
“I know Greater Vernon will shine as hosts of the 2022 BC Winter Games, just as it did when the community came together and did a tremendous job hosting both summer and winter games past. Hosting an event of this caliber brings our community significant economic and social benefits and I congratulate our region on their successful bid. As momentum builds, this event will once again bring energy and excitement to the community as we prepare to showcase B.C.’s emerging high-performance athletes.”
Akbal Mund, Mayor of the City of Vernon
“Having served as President of the BC Winter Games in 2012, I am very excited to have the BC Winter Games coming back to Vernon in 2022. I would like to thank Kelly Mann and the BC Games Society for considering Vernon again for this great opportunity to host athletes from all across BC to showcase their talents in our great community”.
Juliette Cunningham, Chair, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee
“Vernon has a strong reputation for hosting events because our community is rich with committed, tireless volunteers that contribute to successful celebrations of teamwork and sport, and I know it will be the same for the 2022 BC Winter Games. We are looking forward to hosting these games, which will provide a great cultural and economic benefit for the Greater Vernon area.”
Kelly Mann, President and CEO, BC Games Society
“Greater Vernon has been a tremendous host of the BC Games throughout our 40 year history. The skills and expertise of volunteers will showcase the community once again and welcome the best young athletes in the province for what is sure to be an exceptional experience.”
Quick Facts:
- Up to 1,500 athletes along with 600 coaches, managers, and officials participate in the BC Winter Games.
- Athletes range in age from 9-19 years depending on the sport. The average age of the athletes is 14.
- There will be competition in approximately 19 sports including competition for athletes with a disability.
- 2,000 community volunteers will be involved in planning and staging the Games.
- The BC Winter Games are held every two years in the even calendar year.
- The 2022 BC Winter Games will be held, February 24-27, 2022.
- The measured economic impact of the BC Winter Games is $1.6 million.
- The B.C. government contributes over $2 million annually to the BC Games Society to support the BC Summer and BC Winter Games – part of over $40 million invested annually to encourage British Columbians to be physically active and to support a “performance pathway” for athletes, coaches, and support personnel.
Learn More:
For information about the BC Games Society and the bid process please see this link.
About the BC Games Society
The BC Games Society is the leadership organization that guides the BC Winter and BC Summer Games and prepares Team BC for national multi-sport Games. Since 1978, the BC Games have taken place in 38 communities and brought together thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators in celebration of sport and community excellence. It is a milestone event that people count as an exceptional experience where memories, friendships, spirit, and pride are abundant.
Media Contacts:
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 356-6334
Tanya Laing Gahr
Communications Officer
City of Vernon
Phone: 250-550-3539
Cell: 250-558-8792
tlainggahr@vernon.ca