The Alberta Summer Games are set to be hosted by the Grande Prairie area next summer and the organizers are hoping this one can be the “destination games”. Event chair Lionel Robins says they are hoping to get whole families up to enjoy what the peace country has to offer while their children compete. One way they will do that is with feature stages with entertainment.
“While they are entertained they are eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels and shopping in our malls. We see that huge economic impact plus we are putting ourselves on the map for people to come visit later.”
Robins suggests that families come up to visit the various museums in and around the city like the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur museum. He also adds that they could also venture down to Grande Cache to go whitewater rafting.
To help with tourism, they plan to promote things to do in the peace country on the Alberta Sport website. Robins explains that they are also going to get the word out with the kids when they are told they are coming to the games.
“They get a letter saying little Johnny has made the team. It would say “hey, by the way, here is what is happening up there. You might just want to take time off work and make it into a family vacation” and really promote it. Instead of, here is just the bus number that Johnny is getting on to go to the games [alone].”
He is hoping people come up from southern Alberta and that some attendance records can be set.
There are close to 3,000 volunteers needed for the event. The website is available for people to apply to be one. Positions are available from Sport Ambassador to food services.
“Sometimes we just need people to get people on and off the buses. We are looking for anyone from age 16 and up to volunteer.”
For this major event, sport sponsorship is available. Robins explains that instead of the bronze, silver and gold style sponsorships, they are asking businesses to sponsor different sports. Canfor has joined in as the sponsor for football and the logo for them will be posted all over the stadium.