The announcement was made in downtown Vancouver this morning that Prince George has won the bid to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games, beating out Kamloops and Kelowna in the 15-month selection process.
In congratulating Prince George on its selection, Premier Gordon Campbell pointed out that former Canada Games competitors won 16 of Canada’s 26 medals at the Vancouver Olympics.
"Having hosted the 1973 Canada Summer Games in New Westminster and Burnaby and the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, the 2015 Canada Games will mark the third time the Games are hosted in the province of British Columbia and the first time for British Columbia to host a winter Games," said a statement released by officials.
Prince George has a strong track record of producing talented athletes, several of whom are Team BC alumni. They include biathlete Megan Tandy who competed for Team BC at the 2007 Canada Winter Games and represented Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in her home province. Other Team BC alumni from Prince George include Kenny Lally (2007 Canada Winter Games, boxing), Garett Simm (2003 Canada Winter Games, freestyle skiing), and brother and sister Michael and Brenda Friesen who competed in speedskating in the 2003 Canada Winter Games.
The Canada Games is a national multi-sport Games competition that brings together the best athletes from each Canadian province and territory. The primary objective of the Games and the Games movement is national and provincial sport development of Canadian youth. The Games provide the stimulus for Canadian youth to reach their athletic potential, pursue personal excellence and develop socially and culturally within the context of ethical competition.
Team BC will bring a dedicated team of 260 athletes, 75 coaches, three National Artists and 17 mission staff to compete in 20 sports at the Games. The Games will bring together approximately 2,700 athletes, coaches, managers and officials with participation from every province and territory in Canada.
The next Canada Winter Games will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia Feb 11-27, 2011.