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Cities celebrate successful games bid
A celebration marking the successful joint bid to host the 2018 55+ BC Games by the cities of Cranbrook and Kimberley took place Friday afternoon (Oct. 9) in the terminal building at the Canadian Rockies International Airport.
The announcement of the successful bid was made by the province through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development on Saturday, September 26.
“The 55+ BC Games will bring thousands of visitors to the East Kootenay and provide millions of dollars to the local economies of Cranbrook and Kimberley,” said Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender. “These Games also prove that you can continue to lead a healthy and active lifestyle after the age of 55, and the participants in these Games should be role models for all of us.”
“Physical activity is a huge part of a healthy lifestyle and the 55+ BC Games provide motivation for getting and staying in shape,” said Kootenay-East MLA Bill Bennett. “Cranbrook and Kimberley will benefit from an influx of visitors, and the Games will leave a legacy of community pride.”
“Kimberley has a record of successfully hosting events and shared hosting responsibilities with Cranbrook for the BC Winter Games back in 2008,” noted Norm Macdonald, Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA. “The 55 plus BC Games will be an exciting event and we know Kimberley will join Cranbrook in putting together great games. These events need staff support and a large number of dedicated volunteers so we thank them for the work already done and the work they will be doing. Congratulations and we look forward to an exciting BC 55 plus Games.”
Of course, the games will be staged in Ktunaxa traditional territory.
“The Ktunaxa Nation is pleased to have the 2018 55+ BC Games held in our homeland,” stated Kathryn Teneese, Chair of the Ktunaxa Nation Council. “I must commend the work done by the cities of Kimberley and Cranbrook to bring these games here and I look forward to watching the amazing athletes and spirit of competition I’ve come to expect from the BC Senior Games.”
The BC Seniors Games Society receives funding from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development with a portion of that funding is forwarded to the host society for operation of the games.
“The games are yet another opportunity for our communities to work together, and thousands of new visitors will see first-hand why we are an amazing market for Sport Tourism,” said City of Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick.
“This is great news for both Cranbrook and Kimberley,” added City of Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt. “This is a large undertaking but I am confident there will be lots of volunteers from both communities and they will do an excellent job hosting this event. There will also be a huge positive economic spinoff for the whole region. A great opportunity for both communities to showcase all that we have to offer.”
Participants in the games range in age from 55 to 90+ and represent 12 different zones across the province. The mission of the BC Senior’s Games Society is to improve the health, lifestyle and image of BC’s 55+ populations.
“On behalf of our society and 55+ BC Games, we would like to thank, and congratulate the winning bid communities of Kimberley and Cranbrook,” said Wayne Naka, President of the BC Senior Games Society. “Our members will be extremely excited about the opportunity to travel, stay, and compete in this area of our amazing province. We will make an immense and positive impact on your communities as we transform the image and attitudes towards the 55+ population among residents of all ages in British Columbia.”
For more information about the BC Seniors Games Society, visit their website at www.bcseniorsgames.org/.
Above photo: Kurt Madersbacher, BC Games Zone 7 Executive; Kathryn Teneese, Ktunaxa Nation Council Chair; Cranbrook Mayor Lee Pratt; Ray Neratko, BC Games Zone 7 Executive; Hugh Hambelton, BC Games Zone 7 Executive; Bob Ewashen, BC Games Zone 7 Executive; John Cottingham, BC Games Zone 7 Executive; Wayne Naka, BC Games Society President; Kimberley Mayor Don McCormick; Rob Gay, RDEK Board Chair & Area C Director; MLA Bill Bennett, Kootenay-East.
Photo courtesy City of Cranbrook
