On January 15th a Canada Winter Games time capsule was opened at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. The time capsule was from 1995 which was the last time the games were held in Alberta.

The twenty-four-year-old time capsule was intended to be opened the next time Alberta was to host the Canada Winter Games. Red Deer will create their own time capsule at the end of the Winter Games with the same parameters.

The time capsule consisted of a variety of items including many banners and flags, pins and memorabilia from various Albertan towns, newspapers, phone books, and the torch from the 1995 relay.

Lyn Radford, Chair for the 2019 Canada Winter Games commented, “It was truly exciting to watch and pull out some of the history from the 1995 games. 1995 games were treated as very successful games…” Radford continued, “I am so hoping that we can fulfill and do half of what Grand Prairie has done and that we have the same standard of hosting that Grand Prairie had.”

After opening the time capsule, Lyn Radford, and City of Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer announced the names of the 2019 torchbearers.

“The torchbearers were selected by a nomination process and for their contributions to the community,” said Lyn Radford.

There are over 300 torchbearers chosen from over 900 nominations across Alberta and among them is Lacombe’s own Tim McLenahan. Roly McLenahan, Tim’s great uncle, is whom the Canada Winter Games torch is named after.

Mclenahan commented, “It’s a blessing and an honour to be part of something that is a national event being involved with athletics for the time that I have and for my great uncle who was a strong proponent of amateur athleticism.”

The torch will pass through Lacombe on February 2, 11:30 am-1:30 pm at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.