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Showing posts with label Canada Summer Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada Summer Games. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
P.E.I. puts on a show for the entire country - 2009 Canada Games Opening ceremonies
| Related video-on-demand P.E.I. puts on a show for the entire country :Related photo galleries  :2009 Canada Games Opening ceremonies features music, dance and Canada’s best young athletes who are ready to compete NANCY MACPHEE The Journal Pioneer |
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SUMMERSIDE – It was Prince Edward Island’s time to shine on the national stage.
Saturday, thousands of athletes, coaches, family and supporters crammed into Credit Union Place for the opening of the 2009 Canada Games.
And they were treated to quite a show, from a rendition of the national anthem by East Coast Music Award winners, the Grass Mountain Hobos, to a rockin’ performance by Two Hours that had athletes on their feet and pumped to compete.
The two-and-a-half-hour production rivaled any awards show going, with flashy dance numbers, video clips, upbeat performances and all the bells and whistles.
But it was the athletes, on the Island to compete in the first-ever province wide Games, who were truly the stars of the show.
“So many of the athletes who are your role models, those whom you’ve admired since childhood, have competed in the Canada Games in summer and in winter,” said Governor General Michaelle Jean, who officially opened the Games. “But today it is your turn. It is your turn to make your way . . . your turn to stand shoulder to shoulder with our country’s very best, your turn to show the nation what you’ve got.”
The show, televised live on TSN, attracted ministers of Sport from all provinces and territories, various dignitaries, including the Governor General and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and media from across the country.
There were performances by the cast of Highland Storm: The Gael, the Confederation Centre’s Young Company, fiddling sensation Cynthia MacLeod, Chuck & Albert, Meaghan Blanchard, who belted out the Games’ official song “Look Out World” and numerous others.
It was an eclectic mix of P.E.I. culture, one that offered up a slice of what P.E.I. has to offer and had Canada’s best young athletes on their feet, cheering and applauding.
But the loudest cheers were saved for the athletes.
Ushered in by province, athletes and coaches were greeted by thunderous applause, camera flashes and cheers – the loudest for the home team.
Proudly carrying the Island flag, Summerside’s Andrew Costa and the rest of Team P.E.I. were the last to enter and were greeted by a standing ovation.
Since Canada Games’ inception more than four decades ago, 90,000 coaches, officials and volunteers have supported nearly 50,000 young Canadian athletes in their quest for excellence at the Canada Games.
“When I look out at these young people here, what a great country we are going to have long into the future,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
“Over the next two weeks thousands of visitors from across our country will get a chance to cheer on the next generation of world-class Canadian athletes. And they will do it enjoying the natural beauty of this Island and the unparalleled hospitality of those who call it home.”
Premier Robert Ghiz said hosting the Games has been a collaborative effort of Islanders from tip to tip. It’s now time this province’s time to shine.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure that over the next two weeks Canadians will enjoy the legendary hospitality of Prince Edward Island,” said Ghiz. “We are excited. We are proud. We are looking forward to the next two weeks.”
Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart encouraged athletes and coaches to ensure they take home warm memories of the city and the Island.
“We’re going to host the best Games ever here in Summerside and on Prince Edward Island,” said Stewart. “We have great facilities, great volunteers, great hospitality.”
Canada Games host society president Joseph Spriet put 1,930 days into planning the Canada Games. Saturday, he was ready to celebrate.
“It is a rare opportunity for any community or region in this country to host such a magnificent event as the Canada Games,” said Spriet. “There are few things that Canadians do voluntarily and with enthusiasm that bind this country together like this event.”
He added, “We have invited you to come and play on our Island. And now I invite all of you to play at your best and share the spirit of the 2009 Canada Games.”
The Island Games is the last for Canada Games Council chair Terry Smith.
He had these words for the athletes: “Perform, have fun, make friends and never forget the Canada Games.”
But the best words of advice came from Summerside native and Olympian Heather Moyse, who competed in the Canada Games in Brandon, Man., 1995.
She tried to put the Games into perspective, based on her experiences.
Moyse said the Games, for some, will be the pinnacle of their athletic career and, for others, just the beginning.
“When I look out into this whole sea of athletes what I see is endless potential,” she added. “These are your Games. Make what you want of them. Make yourself proud.”
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Games’ torch comes off ferry to start relayc
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=276078&sc=98
Games’ torch comes off ferry to start relay
The GuardianPremier Robert Ghiz will help kick off the 2009 Canada Games torch relay Monday by running the first leg after the torch arrives on the ferry at Wood Islands at 9:30 a.m.
On hand to welcome the torch on the crossing from Caribou, N.S. will be Ghiz, Joseph Spriet, president, 2009 Canada Games; Terry Shea, general manager, P.E.I. Mutual Insurance Company and Mark MacDonald, CEO of Northumberland Ferries.
When the ferry docks, Spriet will accept the torch and then hand it to Ghiz, who will run the first leg of the relay. A news conference will be held prior to the ferry’s arrival.
P.E.I. Mutual Insurance Company is the title sponsor for the relay which will last six days before ending in Summerside.
The torch will make its journey across the Island, being passed from runner to runner, until it hits Tignish and returns to Summerside for the opening ceremonies on Aug. 15.
Spriet has expressed his excitement at the prospect of the upcoming relay.
“This torch relay kickoff is actually a real beginning of getting the Games going in our community,” said Spriet.
“Our Games will unite P.E.I. from one tip of the province to the other in celebration of the opportunity to show the rest of the country what Prince Edward Island is all about.”
Torchbearers were chosen in a public competition. Groups, consisting of five to seven individuals, will carry the torch for a 12-kilometre section of highway. The competition was open to residents of P.E.I. only.
There will be 19 legs of the relay, which will cover 491 kilometres of Island highways. Runners will start each morning between 9 and 10 a.m. and will finish for the day between 3 and 5 p.m.
Organizers have hinted there will be a surprise carrier who will run the torch into the opening ceremonies.
The torch itself will zigzag its way across the province and pass through several communities, including Wood Islands, Montague, Cardigan, Souris, St. Peters, Stratford, Charlottetown, Cornwall, Crapaud, New Glasgow, Cavendish, Kensington, Abram-village, O'Leary, Tignish, Alberton, Tyne Valley, Wellington and Summerside.
On Monday, the route will cover Wood Islands to Pooles Corner, then to Fortune and Souris. On Tuesday, the torch heads to St. Peters, Morell, Stratford and Charlottetown.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Volleyball competitor to carry P.E.I. flag
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=276030&sc=98Volleyball competitor to carry P.E.I. flag
The Guardian
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Andrew Costa, a beach and indoor volleyball competitor from Summerside, will represent Team P.E.I. as Flag Bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2009 Canada Summer Games.
The son of Frank and Elizabeth Costa of Summerside, Andrew will be entering his third year of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, and is a member of the UNB Varsity Reds volleyball team.
He graduated from Three Oaks Senior High School in 2007 where he was a PEISAA all-star in volleyball in 2006 and 2007. He also won the Three Oaks Senior High School Spirit Award in 2007.
Costa began playing volleyball in elementary school and continued in junior high, influenced by his two sisters and brother who also played the sport. In 2008, he was member of the P.E.I. team that won the Atlantic Beach Championships, at Parlee Beach, New Brunswick. He also competed in track and field in high school.
As one of the few athletes to compete in two sports in one set of Canada Games, Andrew will be competing in beach volleyball during the first week of the Games in Summerside, and in indoor volleyball during the second week in Charlottetown.
The opening ceremonies for the 2009 Canada Summer Games will be held at Credit Union Place and televised on TSN2 on Saturday, August 15 at 1 p.m.
Islanders invited to athletes' rally for Team P.E.I.
Islanders invited to athletes' rally for Team P.E.I.
The Guardian
Islanders are being invited to cheer on members of Team P.E.I. at an athletes rally next Wedneday in Summerside with the opening of the 2009 Canada Summer Games just a week away.
Premier Robert Ghiz and Sports Minister Carolyn Bertram are inviting all Islanders to show support for Team P.E.I.’s athletes and artists in the final days leading up to the 2009 Canada Games.
“This rally is a great opportunity for Islanders to meet the athletes, artists, coaches, managers and mission staff who will be representing our province at the 2009 Canada Games,” said Ghiz.
“I hope Islanders will get behind our athletes andartists and cheer them on at the rally and throughout the Games.”
The Team P.E.I. Athlete’s Rally will be held Wednesday, August 12, at 7 p.m. at Credit Union Place in Summerside. This is the only time all members of Team PEI will be together under one roof.
“Team P.E.I. participants have put a lot of time and effort into preparing for these games,” said Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “This exciting event will allow us all to show our enthusiasm for the games, and demonstrate just how proud we are of our home team.”
Everyone is welcome and there is no charge to attend the rally.
However, supporters are invited to bring non-perishable food items which will then be donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Summerside.
Team P.E.I. has a delegation size of 316 participants made up of 23 teams who will participate in 18 sports and the National Artist Program during the two weeks of the Canada Games.
Throughout the two weeks of the Canada Games, the Team P.E.I. mission office will be staffed from 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily. Contact information: Ph (902) 620-0909, Fax (902) 620-0870, email teampei@2009canadagames.ca, online www.teampei.ca
Friday, September 19, 2008
Olympian welcomes Games sponsors
Olympian welcomes Games sponsors
Xerox Canada donating over $600,000 in equipment, software
Xerox Canada donating over $600,000 in equipment, software
TERESA WRIGHT
The Guardian
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Despite his recent international attention at the Beijing Olympics, P.E.I. athlete Jared Connaughton still views his experience at the 2005 Canada Games as the most memorable moment of his life.
He won two gold medals in track and field events in that summer Games.
But now he said he’s excited to see the Games coming to P.E.I. and that a number of corporate sponsors are coming on board to help make it happen.
On Tuesday, Xerox Canada announced it is joining the team as a gold sponsor of the 2009 Canada Games on P.E.I.
The company is donating over $600,000 worth of Xerox printing equipment and logistics software that will enable volunteers to easily manage and distribute information.
These technologies will be used for athlete accreditation, media and internal communications for future Canada Games events.
“With tens of thousands of athletes, staff and visitors expected to attend the games, Xerox’s custom-built technology will both modernize and optimize current processes,” said Xerox Canada’s president and CEO Kevin Warren during a news conference Tuesday in Charlottetown.
“Our solutions create a streamlined infrastructure that will make the 2009 program one of the most technologically advanced to date.”
Wayne Carew, speaking on behalf of the Canada Games Host Society, said this kind of contribution is just what is needed for the Games on P.E.I. next year to be logistically organized.
“Next August will be very busy indeed — we expect tens of thousands of additional visitors to flock to our Island eager to watch world-class athletes,” Carew said.
“In order to stage a successful games and leave lasting legacies for P.E.I. the host society needs support from all sectors.”
The federal and provincial governments and Island municipalities all have come on board financially to help the Games happen.
But the host society still must raise about $7 million in corporate donations.
That’s why they were thrilled with Xerox Canada’s technical and logistical contribution.
The Xerox donation also includes hardware devices that can print, copy and scan to e-mail, enabling fast and efficient ‘real-time’ access to critical information.
Connaughton said this kind of support is so important for athletic competition.
“I know through experience that having data and logistics and technology not running as well as you wish it to can be a really big headache,” he said.
“So to have your results in real time, instant results especially after qualifying and not knowing whether you’ve made it to the next round — it’s something that’s amazing.”
During the funding announcement, he reflected on his athletic career.
Looking back, he said his experiences at the Canada Games are the ones that have remained closest to his heart.
“A lot of people don’t realize this, but in 2005, I was a double gold medallist, but leading into the Games I was injured the entire season,” Connaughton said.
“I didn’t compete at all actually for my team in Texas due to the injury. But when I got back to the Island and trained — as that famous quote says — on soccer fields and on sand dunes — I had the Canada Games as my focal point.
“I went on to win two gold medals . . . and even after my experience at the Olympics and my experience at the World Championships in Osaka, the 2005 Canada Games still to this day holds a very special place in my heart athletically and I do believe the most memorable moment of my life.”
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
2009 Canada Games unveils medal design
2009 Canada Games unveils medal design
Charlottetown, PE, August 18, 2008 – With one year left to go before the 2009 Canada Games takes place on Prince Edward Island, the Host Society today unveiled the design for the medals that will be presented to the top athletes at next summer’s multi-sport event. The Games’ organizers also announced the Delta Prince Edward Hotel as a Bronze Sponsor.
The Hon. Carolyn Bertram, Minister responsible for sport, Host Society president Joseph Spriet, vice president Wayne Carew, and Medals and Flags Committee member Vicki Allen Cook were on hand at an event in Charlottetown today, along with Delta Prince Edward General Manager Michael Bird, to announce that Laura O’Brien, of Charlottetown, created the winning design.
The Medals and Flags Committee of the Ceremonies, Protocol & Hospitality Division ran a contest earlier this spring to find the design and picked O’Brien’s entry over more than 50 others. O’Brien, a graphic designer and graduate of Holland College, works for a local marketing agency. She said, “I’m really honoured to have my design selected as it will form part of the legacy of this event on Prince Edward Island.”
A special publicity campaign targeting students took place as part of the contest, encouraging children of all ages to enter. Minister Bertram acknowledged and thanked Minister Gerard Greenan and several Department of Education and Early Childhood Development staff who helped promote the contest amongst Island schools.
Brandon Bernard, a student from Kensington, took top honours for “best school design”.
The Host Society will need to produce approximately 1700 medals in order to present the coveted 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes to winning athletes during the event. Who will produce the medals, based on O’Brien’s design, has not been determined yet.
Mr. Bird also assisted Allen Cook in presenting O’Brien, 2nd place design winner Raylyn Yu of Charlottetown, and Stephen Farquharson of Dieppe, New Brunswick with their prizes.
“The Delta Prince Edward is proud to be associated with an event like the 2009 Canada Games that helps to inspire dreams and build champions in our Canadian youth,” he said. “We, at the Delta Prince Edward, look forward to welcoming the many visitors to Prince Edward Island, some of whom, the athletes, will have the opportunity to win beautifully designed medals as we’ve seen today.”
Carew, vice president of the Friends of the Games division, charged with raising $7 million in the private sector to help stage the games added, “We are thrilled that one of the premier properties in the province, the Delta Prince Edward Hotel, is the latest company to ‘come play’ on our team as Bronze Sponsor of the 2009 Canada Games.”
The award-winning Delta Prince Edward will contribute both cash and in-kind value in terms of guest and meeting rooms during both the pre-Games period and during Games-time, and will be the VIP hotel for the both weeks of the 2009 Canada Games.
Artist leaves her mark on Games with winning medal design
Laura O’Brien of Charlottetown stands in front of her winning design that will adorn the 2009 Canada Games medals. Guardian photo by Jim DayJIM DAY
The Guardian
Laura O’Brien will make her mark on the 2009 Canada Games through art, rather than athleticism.
O’Brien, 34, of Charlottetown has created the winning design that will adorn the 1,668 medals that will be awarded to the bronze, silver and gold medallists when the Summer Games are staged next year on Prince Edward Island.
“What I find funny, I’m really a non-athlete — no co-ordination whatsoever,’’ she said.
“So it’s great that me, as an artist, can now play a part in the Games.’’
A graduate of Holland College’s visual communications program, O’Brien has been working at Graphic Communications in Charlottetown for a number of years.
Often her work, which includes considerable print media efforts, focuses on creating marketing images that are seen in a flash.
Her winning design for the medals, though, will be hanging around (quite literally) for a long time.
“It’s just something that’s really great for a designer to do,’’ she said. “It’s such a lasting memento of their (athletes’) achievement and the event here on P.E.I.’’
In creating her design, O’Brien said she tried to imagine what would appeal to the athletes who will be winning the Summer Games medals in one year. She tried to make the design have depth, look professional, convey a sense of movement all while using elements to represent the Island and the spirit of the Games.
Her successful design, chosen over more than 50 entries, has a golden maple leaf on the horizon meant to symbolize the sun rising, as the athletes from across Canada dedicate each day, rain or shine, to train to achieve gold, she explained.
“It is also meant to resemble a flame of desire,’’ she said. “Each day is a new day for the competitors to reach their ultimate goal.’’
Three sweeping lines near the bottom of the medal serve several purposes, including showing movement and speed of an athlete while also reflecting the Island’s rolling farmlands.
The trio of lines also represents what O’Brien calls the three must- haves for all athletes: dedication, training and sportsmanship.
Leaves running up the side are the laurel leaves of victory. Oak trees, seen in both the provincial flag and coat of arms, symbolize the Island’s three counties as well as strength and growth.
On the top of the medal, O’Brien created the image of a flag of pride for the top athletes in Canada, each representing their own province. It is also meant to show the ribbon at the end of a race or the completion of a goal, she explained.
On the back of the medal, a far more simple design illustrates an athlete victoriously crossing the finish line.
“Oh, it’s fantastic,’’ O’Brien said of being able to create the winning design.
“The other entries were just outstanding. I’m in good company with those guys. It’s an honour.’’
Raylyn Yu of Charlottetown and Stephen Farquharson of Dieppe, N.B., were recognized for placing second and third respectively for their design entries.
Brandon Bernard, a student from Kensington, took top honours for “best school design.’’
A company still needs to be selected to produce the medals.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Work begins on Canada Games sports fields
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=163107&sc=118Work begins on Canada Games sports fields
SUMMERSIDE
NANCY MACPHEE
Journal Pioneer
Work on Summerside's artificial turf multi-use sports field is expected to be complete by mid November.
Construction of the field, situated north of Willow Avenue adjacent to Credit Union Place, began two weeks ago.
Also being constructed are three tennis courts and two beach volleyball courts located south of Willow Avenue, also adjacent to Credit Union Place.
Summerside's chief administrative officer Terry Murphy said another area has been set aside for possible development of a second artificial-turf field.
The entire project, being constructed for the 2009 Canada Games, has an estimated price tag of $2.9 million.
Contracted to do the work is Charlottetown-based company, Island Coastal Services, with funding from the three levels of government along with the Canada Games Host Society.
NANCY MACPHEE
Journal Pioneer
Work on Summerside's artificial turf multi-use sports field is expected to be complete by mid November.
Construction of the field, situated north of Willow Avenue adjacent to Credit Union Place, began two weeks ago.
Also being constructed are three tennis courts and two beach volleyball courts located south of Willow Avenue, also adjacent to Credit Union Place.
Summerside's chief administrative officer Terry Murphy said another area has been set aside for possible development of a second artificial-turf field.
The entire project, being constructed for the 2009 Canada Games, has an estimated price tag of $2.9 million.
Contracted to do the work is Charlottetown-based company, Island Coastal Services, with funding from the three levels of government along with the Canada Games Host Society.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Canada Games mascots unveiled
Canada Games mascots unveiled
The Journal PioneerSUMMERSIDE — The 2009 Canada Games has a mascot — actually two.
The new mascots were unveiled Friday at a splashy ceremony held at Summerside’s Credit Union Place.
The two, named Abbie (after the Mi’kmaq word Abegweit for the Island) and Eddie (after Edward in Prince Edward Island), were mobbed by more than a hundred children when they were introduced.
Children were given bubble-blowers minutes before the mascots’ grand entrance and didn’t waste any time filling the air with gossamer bubbles.
“Abbie and Eddie are great ambassadors for Prince Edward Island and the 2009 Canada Games and we are thrilled to introduce them to children of all ages today,” said Canada Games host society president Joseph Spreit.
“I must commend our volunteer mascot committee who helped plan for their creation as these characters will be able to tell a unique story about the Games, and appeal to children across our Island and our country.”
Peggy Miles, the Credit Union Place’s special events co-ordinator, said the mascot committee did plenty of “brainstorming” and had tossed around many ideas for mascots based on foxes, lighthouses and lobsters, to name a few.
“But none of those really quite fit,” said Miles, chair of the mascot committee.
But after consulting with children — the target audience — they came with an “animated brother and sister act”, she said.
The mascots will have a busy schedule with several appearances throughout the Island slated for Aug. 10-21.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Transcontinental Media named silver sponsor of 2009 Canada Games
http://www.journalpioneer.com/index.cfm?sid=158295&sc=118Transcontinental Media named silver sponsor of 2009 Canada Games
STAFF
The Journal Pioneer
STRATFORD - Transcontinental Media has come aboard as a major sponsor of the 2009 Canada Summer Games on P.E.I.
Wayne Carew, vice-president of the Friends of the Games division, announced the sponsorship during a press conference today at the Canadian Golf Academy in Stratford.
Transcontinental Media is the parent company of the Journal Pioneer in Summerside and the Guardian in Charlottetown.
The silver-level sponsorship has a value of over $200,000. It includes promotion and advertising through those two papers but also a contest through the company’s national magazine division for a group of four to experience the Games. Transcontinental Media will also sponsor the golf competition, which will mark the first time the sport will be featured as part of the Canada Games.
"Transcontinental is committed to playing an active role in the communities in which we operate," said Transcontinental Media president Natalie Larivière, who traveled to the Island for today’s event. "We concentrate our efforts on the vital areas of health, education, culture and community development so the Canada Games is a particularly good fit for our company."
The Games take place across the Island Aug. 15 to 29, 2009.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Time for Islanders to do their bit for the Games
Time for Islanders to do their bit for the Games
Volunteering for this event is a chance to participate in a truly Canadian celebration
Volunteering for this event is a chance to participate in a truly Canadian celebration
EDITORIAL STAFF
The Guardian
P.E.I.'s minister responsible for sport and recreation is looking for a few good men and women - 6,000 to be exact. Carolyn Bertram says that's how many volunteers are needed to help with next summer's Canada Summer Games on Prince Edward Island.
Every two years Canada's young athletes gather for either the winter or summer games. And in just a little over 12 months from now Islanders will get an opportunity to prove why P.E.I. hospitality is world famous.
A successful Canada Games has three vital components. First off, the games must offer excellent venues for the 18 sporting events that are planned. Secondly, training programs need to be in place to allow our P.E.I. athletes to perform to the best of their abilities.
Last, but certainly not least, is the need to have enough volunteers on hand to run the games. Without an adequate number the Summer Games won't take place, it's as simple as that.
The official launch of the volunteer recruitment campaign for the 2009 Summer Games took place last week, at which time Bertram pointed out the need for P.E.I. volunteers "from coast to coast to coast."
If history is any indication Bertram's call will be heeded. Islanders have a well-deserved reputation of showing up when they are most needed. A good example was the last time Prince Edward Island hosted the Canada Games. That was 1991 and it was the Winter Games.
Advances in technology since then are helping make things easier for people to volunteer. A website has been created to allow people to apply online as volunteers.
By visiting www.2009canadagames.com, Islanders can choose what type of volunteer job they'd like and what sport they would like to be involved with. But it's not just in sports that volunteers are needed, many other talents are needed. Information technology and medical services, for example, are two other areas.
One challenge Summer Games organizers face is finding volunteers from all across Prince Edward Island. The 2009 Canada Games will be the first held provincewide since the Games began in 1967, so that means volunteers will be needed from all across the Island. That can be viewed as a challenge but it can also be viewed as a positive. It means Islanders in areas outside the two major centres of Summerside and Charlottetown will get the opportunity to help make the Games successful and memorable.
In the coming months Summer Games organizers will be travelling across the Island to talk to community groups and organizations about volunteering. The organizers will be offering Islanders an opportunity to get involved in a modern day Canadian institution.
The Canada Games are special in many ways, and not just because they are a showcase for our best young athletes. They also serve as a cultural celebration of all things Canadian.
Who wouldn't want to be involved in that? It's a safe bet that Prince Edward Islanders will step up to the plate as volunteers to show both their pride of this province and love of Canada.
The 2009 Canada Games wants you as a new recruit. The organizing committee put out the call last week for volunteers to help pull off the huge two-week sporting event set to take place in P.E.I. next summer.
The committee estimates 6,000 people will be needed to help in a number of areas, from transporting athletes, aiding in areas such as information technology and medical services to helping with the 18 sports at the Games.
And without volunteers the Games likely won’t go ahead.
Admittedly, giving of one’s time with no monetary reward is a huge favour to ask and lining up 6,000 Islanders willing to do just that won’t be an easy feat.
Schedules will have to be changed, vacations booked for that time and lots of planning done in advance for each person who signs up.
But, as has been proven in the past, Islanders always step up to the plate.
Just look at Summerside, for example.
For years the city has played host to national and international sporting events, from softball and baseball championships to sailing and curling competitions.
And each time volunteers were instrumental in each event’s success.
In 1991, countless Islanders, from tip to tip, signed on to help with the winter Canada Games, which, too was held across the Island. The event even drew volunteers from out of province who rearranged their schedules to pitch in.
There’s no doubt from past experience that the organizing committee will have no problem finding 6,000 Islanders eager to help.
And with advances in technology, signing up is easy to do. With the simple click of a mouse, those wishing to help can go to www.canadagames2009.com, sign up and even choose what type of volunteer job they’d like best.
What a great opportunity for Islanders to come together and show their pride in their home and help showcase P.E.I. to the rest of the country.
We may be small in size but we’re big in heart with people always ready to pull together when the need arises.
So, why not give of your time and, as organizers put it, ‘Come Play on Our Team.’
The Guardian
P.E.I.'s minister responsible for sport and recreation is looking for a few good men and women - 6,000 to be exact. Carolyn Bertram says that's how many volunteers are needed to help with next summer's Canada Summer Games on Prince Edward Island.
Every two years Canada's young athletes gather for either the winter or summer games. And in just a little over 12 months from now Islanders will get an opportunity to prove why P.E.I. hospitality is world famous.
A successful Canada Games has three vital components. First off, the games must offer excellent venues for the 18 sporting events that are planned. Secondly, training programs need to be in place to allow our P.E.I. athletes to perform to the best of their abilities.
Last, but certainly not least, is the need to have enough volunteers on hand to run the games. Without an adequate number the Summer Games won't take place, it's as simple as that.
The official launch of the volunteer recruitment campaign for the 2009 Summer Games took place last week, at which time Bertram pointed out the need for P.E.I. volunteers "from coast to coast to coast."
If history is any indication Bertram's call will be heeded. Islanders have a well-deserved reputation of showing up when they are most needed. A good example was the last time Prince Edward Island hosted the Canada Games. That was 1991 and it was the Winter Games.
Advances in technology since then are helping make things easier for people to volunteer. A website has been created to allow people to apply online as volunteers.
By visiting www.2009canadagames.com, Islanders can choose what type of volunteer job they'd like and what sport they would like to be involved with. But it's not just in sports that volunteers are needed, many other talents are needed. Information technology and medical services, for example, are two other areas.
One challenge Summer Games organizers face is finding volunteers from all across Prince Edward Island. The 2009 Canada Games will be the first held provincewide since the Games began in 1967, so that means volunteers will be needed from all across the Island. That can be viewed as a challenge but it can also be viewed as a positive. It means Islanders in areas outside the two major centres of Summerside and Charlottetown will get the opportunity to help make the Games successful and memorable.
In the coming months Summer Games organizers will be travelling across the Island to talk to community groups and organizations about volunteering. The organizers will be offering Islanders an opportunity to get involved in a modern day Canadian institution.
The Canada Games are special in many ways, and not just because they are a showcase for our best young athletes. They also serve as a cultural celebration of all things Canadian.
Who wouldn't want to be involved in that? It's a safe bet that Prince Edward Islanders will step up to the plate as volunteers to show both their pride of this province and love of Canada.
Fun and Games go arm in arm
The Journal PioneerThe 2009 Canada Games wants you as a new recruit. The organizing committee put out the call last week for volunteers to help pull off the huge two-week sporting event set to take place in P.E.I. next summer.
The committee estimates 6,000 people will be needed to help in a number of areas, from transporting athletes, aiding in areas such as information technology and medical services to helping with the 18 sports at the Games.
And without volunteers the Games likely won’t go ahead.
Admittedly, giving of one’s time with no monetary reward is a huge favour to ask and lining up 6,000 Islanders willing to do just that won’t be an easy feat.
Schedules will have to be changed, vacations booked for that time and lots of planning done in advance for each person who signs up.
But, as has been proven in the past, Islanders always step up to the plate.
Just look at Summerside, for example.
For years the city has played host to national and international sporting events, from softball and baseball championships to sailing and curling competitions.
And each time volunteers were instrumental in each event’s success.
In 1991, countless Islanders, from tip to tip, signed on to help with the winter Canada Games, which, too was held across the Island. The event even drew volunteers from out of province who rearranged their schedules to pitch in.
There’s no doubt from past experience that the organizing committee will have no problem finding 6,000 Islanders eager to help.
And with advances in technology, signing up is easy to do. With the simple click of a mouse, those wishing to help can go to www.canadagames2009.com, sign up and even choose what type of volunteer job they’d like best.
What a great opportunity for Islanders to come together and show their pride in their home and help showcase P.E.I. to the rest of the country.
We may be small in size but we’re big in heart with people always ready to pull together when the need arises.
So, why not give of your time and, as organizers put it, ‘Come Play on Our Team.’
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Canada Games organizers launch drive to recruit 6,000 volunteers
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=154935&sc=98
Canada Games organizers launch drive to recruit 6,000 volunteers
Organizers of the 2009 Canada Games are inviting all Islanders to Come Play on Our Team.Canada Games organizers launch drive to recruit 6,000 volunteers
ISABELLE GALLANT
The Guardian
The Guardian
Games organizers are looking for 6,000 volunteers for the Islandwide event Aug. 15-29, 2009.
The launch of the volunteer recruitment campaign for the Games took place Monday at the CARI complex at UPEI.
Carolyn Bertram, provincial minister responsible for sport and recreation, spoke at the launch.
“From Tignish to Souris, from Victoria to North Rustico, we need Islanders from coast to coast to coast,” she said. “And I know volunteers will step up to the plate.”
The task of organizing all of those volunteers falls to Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, vice-president of the volunteer services division for the Games.
“It’s going to be a massive job. We’ve been working now for over a year and a half. We’ve recruited our core team and broken it up into areas of responsibility. Underneath that we have many sub-committees.”
The launch was also a chance for the Games organizers to unveil a new website where people can apply to volunteer online.
By visiting www.2009canadagames.com, Islanders can choose what type of volunteer job they’d like to do best.
They can help out with any of the 18 sports at the Games, as well as in areas such as information technology and medical services.
At the launch, Bertram demonstrated just how easy the online process is by filling out her own application on a laptop.
The 2009 Canada Games will be the first held provincewide since the Games began in 1967.
Because of the wide geographical area, organizers wanted the volunteer application process to be as easy as possible, said Jenkins-Smith.
“We’re trying to (show people) that there’s many opportunities and they don’t have to just look at something in their backyard.”
Although she admits that recruiting 6,000 people will be a big job, Jenkins-Smith is confident that through face-to-face interaction with Islanders, it will be possible.
The organizers will be travelling across P.E.I. to talk to community groups and organizations about volunteering. They already have 1,000 volunteers signed up, she said.
There is a great spirit of volunteerism on P.E.I., said Joseph Spriet, the president of the 2009 Canada Games, and events such as this one couldn’t exist without that spirit.
“You couldn’t stage these games financially without the 6,000 volunteers. It would be horrendously expensive.”
With all of the options for volunteers, “there’s no question that there’s something for every interest,” he said.
Of the 6,000 volunteers needed, the organizers would like at least 600 to be bilingual.
They will target francophone areas of the province, as well as federal and provincial government employees, to find bilingual volunteers, said Jenkins-Smith.
“We feel like it’s a realistic number. We looked at the areas of responsibility, and where we should have bilingual services throughout the games to make it fair.”
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Canada Games costs double for P.E.I. town
Canada Games costs double for P.E.I. town
The cost of participating in the 2009 Canada Games has taken a big jump for the Town of Stratford.
'It just kept coming back with more and more and more money.'— Coun. Gary Clow
The Games will be a provincewide event. Stratford, just east of Charlottetown, is scheduled to host the baseball events.
But the town had to cut back on its plans when the cost to renovate the local diamond more than doubled.
"There seemed to be a lot of negotiating right up until the last minute to make this work," Coun. Gary Clow, parks and recreation chair, said Wednesday.
"We wanted very strongly to be part of the Canada Games but it just kept coming back with more and more and more money. And there's only so much money in the pot."
The Town of Cornwall had already balked at the $330,000 cost of building a new facility for Canada Games baseball.
Stratford, which needed to upgrade its diamond, was the second choice. The town was initially told its share of the cost to renovate MacNeil Memorial Field would be around $45,000.
Town stretched to the limit
But when the bids came in, the town discovered its share would be more than $100,000. Clow said there was no way the town was prepared to pay that.
It finally settled on a compromise — $80,000 — but that meant cutting back on some features.
"We're stretching the limit to go to even 80 [thousand] with them and not a penny more," said Clow.
"We're going to have Canada Games standard; some of the stuff coming will not be staying. It will be going when it's all over."
There will be no new scoreboard, and the bleachers will be removed at the end of the Games.
Construction began on Wednesday.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Details announced for Canada Games venues
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=150540&sc=98Canada Games funding unveiled for capital venues
TERESA WRIGHT
The Guardian
The biggest athletic event in the country is coming to P.E.I. in just over a year, and there’s no better proof of the work being done to prepare than a drive by UPEI.
There are small mountains of dirt on the campus as an earthen bowl is constructed to accommodate a large crowd of spectators to the many sporting events that will be highlighted during the Canada Summer Games when the event comes to P.E.I. in 2009.
Representatives from the Canada Games host society, the City of Charlottetown, the province and the federal government joined UPEI president Wade MacLauchlan and a number of young athletes to thank each partner for their financial contribution to this major event on P.E.I.
“P.E.I. is getting very excited,” said Premier Robert Ghiz during a news conference at UPEI Saturday.
“It is going to be an Island-wide event and it’s going to be a great event for all Islanders — but it’s going to be especially wonderful for our athletes.”
In total, the city, the provincial and federal governments and the university are investing over $7.6 million in funding for Canada Games facilities in the City of Charlottetown.
Saturday’s funding announcement outlined details of the new $6.8-million state-of-the-art athletic complex currently under construction on the UPEI campus.
The complex will host close to 50 track and field events during the second week of the Games. The aquatic complex at the CARI Centre will also receive nearly $300,000 in upgrades, allowing it to host numerous swimming and diving competitions.
But UPEI isn’t the only area in Charlottetown hosting Canada Games events.
Memorial Field and the tennis courts at Victoria Park will undergo major renovations totalling almost $530,000, allowing them to also be used for the event.
Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee expressed praise for the federal and provincial dollars being pooled with university and municipal funding for the many events that will take place in the provincial capital.
“With this announcement, we have been given the opportunity to further demonstrate our strength as a major event-hosting venue and more specifically, you have given us the green light to be host competition in the sports of athletics, diving and swimming, baseball, tennis and volleyball,” Lee said.
Peter MacKay, the federal minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) was scheduled to come to P.E.I. for the joint funding announcement, but couldn’t make it due to airplane difficulties.
ACOA vice-president Pat Dorsey took his place at the official ceremony, announcing the government of Canada’s commitment, through ACOA, to invest $1.9 million in the four Canada Games infrastructure projects in Charlottetown.
“(The games) will showcase the natural beauty and hospitality of this province and attract visitors to P.E.I. that will only benefit our economy,” Dorsey said.
“Today’s investment builds on the government of Canada’s commitment to promoting sport and physical activity among Canadians of all ages and abilities.”
All told there are 32 proposed venues across the province for the 2009 Canada Games. It is the first time the games have ever been hosted by an entire province.
Normally, individual municipalities play host to the major sporting event.
It is anticipated that over 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers will attend.
P.E.I. ATHLETIC COMPLEX:
The athletic complex is under construction on the UPEI campus. The state-of-the-art facility will host 25 track and field events for men and 24 for women during the second week of the games. The complex will feature a synthetic 400-metre, eight-lane oval track, a water jump for steeplechase, a facility for long and triple jumps, pole vault, discus and hammer throw, javelin throw, shot put, warm-up track, storage, washrooms, spectator seating and viewing as well as site and storm drainage and fencing. The total cost of this project is $6,793,322, which will be funded through federal, provincial and municipal contributions.
CARI CENTRE: SWIMMING AND DIVING INFRASTRUCTURE
Charlottetown will play a lead role in 2009 when Prince Edward Island hosts the Canada Summer Games. It is a major shareholder in the CARI Centre which is owned by a not-for-profit corporation — Capital Area Recreation Inc. This $299,400 project will upgrade the technical requirements for both the swimming and diving facilities at the CARI centre. The swimming upgrades include the installation of pushbutton Daktronics, touch pads, lane dividers and covers, and darkened windows to reduce light reflection. The diving aspects of the project include a three-metre diving board, pool lighting, and surface agitation system including electrical components.
VICTORIA PARK TENNIS COURTS:
The Victoria Park tennis courts are located in the southern section of the 40-acre parkland. The current venue consists of a total of six lighted courts, a tennis clubhouse, parking as well as a nearby canteen service owned and operated by a local service club.
The site has been chosen by the 2009 Games for the tennis competition. The Games requirement includes a total of eight courts in one venue. Rather than try to create a new venue with eight new courts and all the amenities, it was decided to add two additional courts. In keeping with a specific bylaw pertaining to Victoria Park, the council held a public consultation, and as a result, have support to proceed with two courts in a specified area. This venue upgrade will not only enable the city to host the Games but will also enable the tennis community to attract other future national competitions which also require an eight court venue.
The total project cost is $229,000.
MEMORIAL FIELD UPGRADES:
Memorial Baseball Field, located in Victoria Park in the heart of Charlottetown, is a premier venue for baseball play in the city. This site has been chosen as a primary venue for hosting Games baseball in 2009.
The facility presently does not meet Games standards in either the dimensions or type of playing surface. A substantial upgrade is required in order to meet Games specifications.
The work includes stripping the topsoil from the infield and replacing the infield material with natural sod material to create a grass infield.
The infield will have a drainage system as well as irrigation.
The overall repositioning and expansion of the field will be moved in a northerly direction so as to avoid tree removal in the adjacent woods.
Lights will be relocated and repositioned. New amenities will include bleachers, a bullpen; fencing and a press box.
The complete scope of work has been endorsed by Games officials to ensure that medal games can be played on these fields.
In addition, the city has already committed to hosting the 2008 National Junior Baseball Championships in August. This event will act as a pre-event trial of the venue for 2009 Games.
The total project cost has been approved for $299,814.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2008/07/08/games-venues.htmlDetails announced for Canada Games venues
Further information on how $7.6 million from Ottawa will be spent on athletic facilities in Charlottetown for the 2009 Canada Games was announced Monday.
About 90 per cent of the money, $6.8 million, will go to the new track and field venue currently under construction at UPEI. It will have an eight-lane track with a synthetic surface, permanent seating for 1,400 and additional seating for up to 5,000.
Nearly $300,000 will go to upgrades at the CARI pool, including new touch pads, lane dividers, and darker windows.
More than $500,000 will go to renovations for the tennis courts and a ball field at Victoria Park.
The Games next August are expected to attract 4,400 athletes.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Canada Games triathlon team looks to 2009
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=140204&sc=99
Canada Games triathlon team looks to 2009
The GuardianA meeting of athletes and others interested in helping with any aspect in forming a 2009 Canada Games triathlon training team takes place Wednesday in Charlottetown.
The meeting will be held in room 234 of the House of Sport and begins at 6:30 p.m.
The 2009 Canada Games is open to athletes 16 years of age and no older than 20 as of Dec. 31, 2009 (born between Jan. 1, 1989 and Dec. 31, 1993, inclusively).
A provincial team composition may be three males and three females.
The actual Games competition will include an individual sprint triathlon consisting of a 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre km bike and five-kilometre run.
The second event will be a team triathlon made up of 300-metre swim, seven-kilometre bike and two-kilometre run.
For more information, contact team coordinator Blair Weeks at 894-9676, or weeksygb2@hotmail.com.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Counting down
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=139526&sc=98Counting down
A flurry of activity, from fundraising to building sporting venues, continues as the host committee pulls out all the stops to make the 2009 Canada Games a triumph
A flurry of activity, from fundraising to building sporting venues, continues as the host committee pulls out all the stops to make the 2009 Canada Games a triumph
JIM DAY
The Guardian
Joseph Spriet, president of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society, has great designs on being part of putting on a top-notch
The Guardian
Joseph Spriet, president of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society, has great designs on being part of putting on a top-notch competition next year for hundreds of the country’s top amateur athletes. Guardian photo by Jim Day
In many ways, the 2009 Canada Games is a numbers game.
And some of those figures are rather eye popping.
The budget to stage the two-week long summer event in venues across Prince Edward Island may be the most dizzying of all the tallies.
The total Games budget is $33 million, says Joseph Spriet, president of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society — a group mandated the daunting task of planning and delivering an outstanding athlete-centred multi-sport and cultural event.
Funds from three levels of government are accounted for with Ottawa committing $13 million, the province good for $11.5 million and Island municipalities tossing in a couple million bucks more.
Money not in the bank just yet, however, is the whopping $7 million expected to be raised by the Friends of the Games Host Society. Spriet didn’t want to identify the shortfall, but suggested a considerable fundraising effort still lies ahead in the months leading up to the Games, which run next year from Aug. 15 to 29.
“We have half a dozen major sponsors . . . plus a lot of minor ones,” he said.
Anticipated cost overruns may leave both the province and the Friends of the Games Host Society on the hook to cough up even more money then either had bargained for.
“Cost overruns this year are a fact of life,” said Spriet.
Escalating fuel, labour and steel costs are contributing to more pricey contracts to get the venues up to snuff, said Tyler Richardson, vice-president of facilities division.
Progress on the bulk of the 40 different venues being developed in 18 communities across P.E.I. to host the 18 different sports is generally on schedule, he said.
There has been scrambling, though, for the major athletic facilities in both Summerside and Charlottetown.
Work, though, began Monday at UPEI with Island Coastal breaking ground on its $5.6-million contract with completion expected in November. The athletics facility calls for a 400-metre synthetic competition track, natural grass infield, grandstand with permanent seating for 1,400 spectators (with capacity for temporary seating of 1,900), timing tower, results room and equipment storage.
The Summerside project calls for a turf field, beach volleyball venue and three new tennis courts. With a tender call slated for June 9, some urgency exists in hammering out a deal with the municipality. Spriet said an agreement is “on the cusp” of being reached.
The return on a sizable investment — even if that expenditure turns out to be a fair bit more than first anticipated — still holds great promise, the upbeat president is quick to note.
During the bid process, a study determined the 2009 Canada Games would be worth between $75 million and $100 million in economic impact to the province.
The Games are expected to draw some 10,000 visitors to Prince Edward Island with 8,000 of those spectators expected to stay overnight and spend about $80 per day while 2,000 one-day visitors are anticipated to dole out about $51 per day.
Then there are the approximately 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers who will be here over the two weeks of the event pumping money into the province.
Large exposure will also be a strong payoff from the Games for a province desperately looking to boost tourism numbers.
Close to 200 media representatives are expected to cover the Games, filing stories, pictures and video of sporting events in a host of Island settings.
Spriet also expects more than 100 hours of total television coverage among the different stations that will broadcast portions of the event.
Long after the final medals have been handed out, the province should enjoy a lasting benefit from the Games. The facilities being built and upgraded, to the tune of more than $14 million, for the event will prove quite valuable, suggested Spriet.
He said the facilities, built to national standards with all the bells and whistles, should go a long way to helping the province in the future attract national sporting events that they could not otherwise have drawn here.
“And also the access to these facilities for the rest of us Islanders,” said Spriet.
“They’re going to be there for our youth.”
Above all, though, the number one priority is to make the Games the best possible experience for the participants — Canadian athletes.
David MacNeill, CEO of operations, wants the competition, accommodations, food and transportation to all be top notch for the wrestlers, swimmers, cyclists, baseball players and other competitors.
“Athlete-centred Games is our absolute priority,” he said.
Island athletes will naturally feel the glare of the spotlight competing in their home province.
To help make them shine, The Best Ever Program was established in 2006 with $1.4 million in funding from the Department of Communities and Cultural Affairs being spent to assist in the training and development of local athletes.
Program manager Ted Lawlor said the hope is for Island athletes to earn better results than in past Games.
About 257 Island athletes are expected to compete in 17 of the 18 sports, up from the 206 athletes that took part in the 2005 Canada Summer Games that competed in 12 out of the 16 sports.
Island athletes will compete in 2009 for the first time in canoe/kayak and rowing but will not participate in diving.
Lawlor said expectations are high for Team P.E.I. in both male and female soccer as well as wrestling and athletics (track and field).
“I think our expectation is a couple of medals will appear,” he said.
Islanders will not only buy into the Games with their tax dollars, but many will invest their time and talent.
An army of 6,000 volunteers will be put to a dizzying array of tasks, everything from setting up beds to transporting canoes.
Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, vice president of volunteer services for the 2009 Canada Games, said having the event held across the Island makes the task easier of rallying the troops to get involved.
“It’s a Prince Edward Island event and people are proud to host it,” she said.
“I think Islanders will step up to the plate and make it happen. They want to be a part of it.”
And some of those figures are rather eye popping.
The budget to stage the two-week long summer event in venues across Prince Edward Island may be the most dizzying of all the tallies.
The total Games budget is $33 million, says Joseph Spriet, president of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society — a group mandated the daunting task of planning and delivering an outstanding athlete-centred multi-sport and cultural event.
Funds from three levels of government are accounted for with Ottawa committing $13 million, the province good for $11.5 million and Island municipalities tossing in a couple million bucks more.
Money not in the bank just yet, however, is the whopping $7 million expected to be raised by the Friends of the Games Host Society. Spriet didn’t want to identify the shortfall, but suggested a considerable fundraising effort still lies ahead in the months leading up to the Games, which run next year from Aug. 15 to 29.
“We have half a dozen major sponsors . . . plus a lot of minor ones,” he said.
Anticipated cost overruns may leave both the province and the Friends of the Games Host Society on the hook to cough up even more money then either had bargained for.
“Cost overruns this year are a fact of life,” said Spriet.
Escalating fuel, labour and steel costs are contributing to more pricey contracts to get the venues up to snuff, said Tyler Richardson, vice-president of facilities division.
Progress on the bulk of the 40 different venues being developed in 18 communities across P.E.I. to host the 18 different sports is generally on schedule, he said.
There has been scrambling, though, for the major athletic facilities in both Summerside and Charlottetown.
Work, though, began Monday at UPEI with Island Coastal breaking ground on its $5.6-million contract with completion expected in November. The athletics facility calls for a 400-metre synthetic competition track, natural grass infield, grandstand with permanent seating for 1,400 spectators (with capacity for temporary seating of 1,900), timing tower, results room and equipment storage.
The Summerside project calls for a turf field, beach volleyball venue and three new tennis courts. With a tender call slated for June 9, some urgency exists in hammering out a deal with the municipality. Spriet said an agreement is “on the cusp” of being reached.
The return on a sizable investment — even if that expenditure turns out to be a fair bit more than first anticipated — still holds great promise, the upbeat president is quick to note.
During the bid process, a study determined the 2009 Canada Games would be worth between $75 million and $100 million in economic impact to the province.
The Games are expected to draw some 10,000 visitors to Prince Edward Island with 8,000 of those spectators expected to stay overnight and spend about $80 per day while 2,000 one-day visitors are anticipated to dole out about $51 per day.
Then there are the approximately 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers who will be here over the two weeks of the event pumping money into the province.
Large exposure will also be a strong payoff from the Games for a province desperately looking to boost tourism numbers.
Close to 200 media representatives are expected to cover the Games, filing stories, pictures and video of sporting events in a host of Island settings.
Spriet also expects more than 100 hours of total television coverage among the different stations that will broadcast portions of the event.
Long after the final medals have been handed out, the province should enjoy a lasting benefit from the Games. The facilities being built and upgraded, to the tune of more than $14 million, for the event will prove quite valuable, suggested Spriet.
He said the facilities, built to national standards with all the bells and whistles, should go a long way to helping the province in the future attract national sporting events that they could not otherwise have drawn here.
“And also the access to these facilities for the rest of us Islanders,” said Spriet.
“They’re going to be there for our youth.”
Above all, though, the number one priority is to make the Games the best possible experience for the participants — Canadian athletes.
David MacNeill, CEO of operations, wants the competition, accommodations, food and transportation to all be top notch for the wrestlers, swimmers, cyclists, baseball players and other competitors.
“Athlete-centred Games is our absolute priority,” he said.
Island athletes will naturally feel the glare of the spotlight competing in their home province.
To help make them shine, The Best Ever Program was established in 2006 with $1.4 million in funding from the Department of Communities and Cultural Affairs being spent to assist in the training and development of local athletes.
Program manager Ted Lawlor said the hope is for Island athletes to earn better results than in past Games.
About 257 Island athletes are expected to compete in 17 of the 18 sports, up from the 206 athletes that took part in the 2005 Canada Summer Games that competed in 12 out of the 16 sports.
Island athletes will compete in 2009 for the first time in canoe/kayak and rowing but will not participate in diving.
Lawlor said expectations are high for Team P.E.I. in both male and female soccer as well as wrestling and athletics (track and field).
“I think our expectation is a couple of medals will appear,” he said.
Islanders will not only buy into the Games with their tax dollars, but many will invest their time and talent.
An army of 6,000 volunteers will be put to a dizzying array of tasks, everything from setting up beds to transporting canoes.
Myrtle Jenkins-Smith, vice president of volunteer services for the 2009 Canada Games, said having the event held across the Island makes the task easier of rallying the troops to get involved.
“It’s a Prince Edward Island event and people are proud to host it,” she said.
“I think Islanders will step up to the plate and make it happen. They want to be a part of it.”
Monday, January 28, 2008
A UPEI home for an athletic facility?
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=102444&sc=103
A UPEI home for an athletic facility?
A UPEI home for an athletic facility?
There are arguments in favour of building this Canada Games structure at UPEI,
but there are also some concerns.
Barring any more concerns about rock concerts, it's a sure bet the 2009 Canada Summer Games athletics facility will be constructed at the University of Prince Edward Island.but there are also some concerns.
EDITORIALS
28/01/08
28/01/08
There are a number of obvious arguments in favour of UPEI as the location for the last major piece in the facilities puzzle for the national event Aug. 15-29 of next year. But there are concerns as well. The value of the green buffer space between CARI and the commercial development approaching the Charlottetown Mall cannot be underestimated. The visual impact of the parkland setting of trees, creek and little walking bridge is a welcome respite. Now a large section of that will be gone. Additional road access will be needed so we can expect even more land to be used for pavement, lights and parking.
One wonders why a multi-purpose facility wasn't built some two years ago when the artificial turf soccer field was constructed. Why wasn't there more foresight to building a track around the soccer field, along with sufficient bleachers, instead of trying to correct that problem today?
UPEI has no legacy of track and field, so why this urgency of having this facility on campus? Perhaps the track will jump-start an athletics program that already thrives in other Atlantic universities like Dalhousie.
The proposed new field has already drawn interest from football supporters who see this as an opening to getting football back as a varsity sport. Football was effectively boxed out of the turf field and the sport now sees a chance to find a new home on campus after all.
The concept plan presented Wednesday night also raises the issue of MacAdam Field, already bumped from its former location by parking and mobile classrooms and then relegated to the rugby pitch and practice facility. Now it looks like MacAdam Field will become an orphan again.
The plan has the new track and field facility on an east-west axis built right over MacAdam Field. Granted, this is a concept, but it indicates a lack of any long-range planning, at least for this facility, if they are going to start tearing up a field two years after it was built.
The plan is to excavate down four metres and build a berm around the track to transform the athletics facility into a bowl setting. The plan also calls for 10 acres to be developed, along with a practice facility in the northeast end of the development.
Leaving a legacy is always a key component of the Canada Games. Since P.E.I. schools are the largest supporters of track and field today, there should be guarantees of their access to this facility. The venue should be seen as a provincial facility and not solely a UPEI venue.
The UPEI location will also result in considerable extra cost in building this facility, first targeted at approximately $2 million and now heading towards $5 million. Stonepark was considered to be a strong contender for the athletics facility because it has a natural bowl and a track already there.
The concept plan calls for a 400-metre synthetic competition track, natural grass infield, grandstand with permanent seating for 1,400, temporary seating for 5,000, timing tower, results room and equipment storage.
Summerside will host the Games opening ceremonies at the new Wellness Centre as week one will be based in the western part of the province with the athletes village at Slemon Park. Week two shifts to the eastern end of the province with the athletes village moving to UPEI and the closing ceremonies now scheduled for the athletics facility.
Time ran out on making a decision for the athletics facility and UPEI was picked as the only site suitable given the limited time frame left. The decision is probably the right one but let's make sure the proper facility is built this time.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Getting down to business, then fun and games
26/01/08
Getting down to business, then fun and games
2009 canada summer games
KENSINGTONLORI A. MAYNE
Journal Pioneer
Just call him the seven-million-dollar man.
Wayne Carew heads the group fundraising for the 2009 Canada Games in P.E.I.
Lately, the vice-president with the Friends of the Games has been dashing across the Island with other Canada Games officials to capture local business interest.
"We don't just need money," Carew explained at a Kensington and Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Friday.
The Summer Games have a $33-million budget, with $7 million needed from the efforts of the Friends. But Carew told the Kensington business audience the Games could also use value in kind; to run the event they need everything from computers to cars, and massive amounts of food. (Think 1,600 loaves of bread, 35,000 potatoes and 11,000 litres of milk to start).
Carew explained the Friends have been encouraging business participation, support and help in getting national corporate contacts.
He said in an interview about half a dozen national Games sponsors have been lined up with announcements expected to start within a month; another half dozen he described as 90 per cent complete.
Carew said they've been presenting the Games as a marketing opportunity. "It's too easy to say no to a donation."
A presentation video depicts young athletes in celebration and comments from the likes of Olympians Cindy Klassen and Dave "Eli" MacEachern. Games officials also come armed with statistics - like the expected 150 hours of Games broadcast time.
Kensington itself will see action in soccer and softball (with upgrades planned to facilities at Kensington Intermediate Senior High and Community Gardens, respectively) as well as water sports in the Southwest River in nearby Clinton. Carew stressed it's a great chance to promote the community.
A number of such presentations have been delivered locally, particularly at chamber of commerce functions, with more planned.
He's been pleased with the response. One at a chamber event in Summerside led to contact with the president of a national company.
Carew himself volunteered because of the legacy the Games leave for sport but also the chance they provide to promote tourism and economic development here.
"It is really a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Canada Games will be P.E.I.'s chance to shine on national stage
Canada Games will be P.E.I.'s chance to shine on national stage
24/01/08
JIM BROWN
The Journal Pioneer
Six thousand volunteers, a $33-million budget, 4,400 athletes and 2,500 coaches and other officials.
The logistics of the 2009 Canada Summer Games are staggering, as is the economic impact, pegged at a cool $100 million plus.
The Games will make big waves in Canada's smallest province, according to Joseph Spriet, president of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society and Wayne Carew, vice president of the Host Society's Friends of the Games Division.
They were guest speakers at the 108th President's Annual Dinner, organized by the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce and held last night at the Loyalist Lakeview Resort.
"There are one million athletes out there who want to be part of that 4,400," said Carew.
"It's almost like a game of Survivor, " he joked.
"Only this is real. They want to go to P.E.I. That's the last thing they think about when they go to bed at night, and the first thing they think about in the morning."
That represents a priceless marketing opportunity for the Island, as do the 150 hours of broadcast time devoted to the Games over the two-week span, Aug. 15-29, said Carew.
But Carew urged business people to think beyond that time frame, since athletes, their families, coaches, support staff and corporate sponsors will be arriving at least a week before the event and lingering a week later.
"So the two-week Games becomes a four-week extravaganza - a four-week opportunity for chamber members.
"This will be the largest event P.E.I. has ever hosted."
There are many firsts in the 2009 Canada Summer Games, including the fact events will be staged in 18 communities from one tip of P.E.I. to the other.
"Eighteen communities, 40 specific event venues," including Summerside and the city's wellness centre, said Carew.
"We feel it's going to be the largest attended Canada Games ever."
He went on to say one of the greatest challenges facing Islanders in the 2009 Games is ensuring future "Heather Moyses" aren't denied their chance to reach the world stage because of a lack of resources.
Every "nickel" over the seven million dollars Island organizers have committed to raise from corporate sponsors would remain on the Island, to help Island athletes achieve their dreams, said Carew.
Parents should think through the details of a big-kid bed and make sure there are no other events or big changes coming up soon such as beginning day care or weaning off the bottle.
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