We are officially one year out of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, and that was celebrated Thursday afternoon with a big event down at Great Chief Park.

Free Tim Hortons coffee, and an exciting list of speakers marked the one year out event, with local dignitaries on hand to commemorate the day and officially launch their online volunteer application portal.

Board Chair of the Games Host Society Lyn Radford can't believe how much they have accomplished since she first brought this idea to council.

“When you think that back in 2011, I went and approached council, because I knew this opportunity was coming, and now fast forward to 2018 and it just seems like it’s flown by. I’m so excited, I mean it really makes this so much more real, I keep saying that but it’s really happening that way.”

Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda says that sports are a huge part of life for many Canadians, and the excitement shown for the games further demonstrates that.

“Every single family knows what it’s like to get up in the morning and drive their kids to practice or whatever, and it’s really truly a part of who we are as Albertans. It’s going to bring economic benefits to the area, but of course it will also foster that next generation of Olympians and para-Olympians which is also very exciting.”

They will need about 5 thousand volunteers for the games in many different roles.

For more information on the games or how to apply to volunteer, you can visit canadagames.ca/2019.

 

(L-R) 2019 Games Languages Committee Co-chair, Serge Gingras, 2019 Games Honorary Co-Chair, Cari MacLean, 2019 Games Board Chair, Lyn Radford, Canada Games President/CEO, David Patterson, Mayor of Red Deer Tara Veer, and Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda.