Another big announcement Tuesday afternoon in Red Deer for the 2019 Canada Winter Games, as it was revealed that for the first time the torch relay prior to the start of the games will be a nationwide event, going from coast to coast in the months leading up to the games.

Board Chair of the Games Host Society Lyn Radford says this will help bring the national attention to the games that it deserves.

“Traditionally the torch gets lit in Ottawa, and then comes to the province of the host city where it runs around the province. One of the things that I’ve always had as a vision, and the committee has had the vision, is that we need to make this broader, we need to make everyone aware that there is more than just the two weeks happening at games time.”

Radford says this will truly make the entire nation feel included in the largest event Central Alberta has ever hosted.

“This way we will be able to increase the profile of the Canada Games happening in Red Deer, it allows us to host different communities across the nation, which makes them more aware of what Alberta and Red Deer is about.”

The MNP Canada Games Torch Relay will start in the fall of 2018, and will conclude by lighting the Canada Games cauldron at the opening ceremonies on February 15th.

Stops include Victoria, Halifax, and Winnipeg, and they will also be making a special tour of Central Alberta, including Blackfalds, Rimbey, and Lacombe.

For more information on the 2019 Canada Winter Games and the MNP Canada Games Torch Relay, you can visit canadagames.ca/2019.