The Alberta Summer Games in Grande Prairie are just 100 days away. Games manager Lindsey McNeil says the remaining time is being spent on logistics, like transportation routes and accommodations.
The 2018 games are also in serious need of volunteers. At this point, roughly 350 people have signed up out of the 2,000 needed.
“Areas that we’re really, really pushing people are the food services, so that we can make sure the athletes have a really great experience even in those food centres so that they’re not waiting in long lines. Anybody with medical training for our polyclinic would be greatly appreciated, and then anybody who’s involved with the education system that might be willing to work in those athlete accommodations.”
If not enough volunteers register, McNeil says they will have to move people to priority areas to make sure they’ve covered. However, knowing Grande Prairie has been supportive of similar in the past, she’s confident more volunteers will come out of the woodwork for the unique opportunity.
“This is the first time that Grande Prairie has had the summer games since 2000, so 18 years, and it’s a chance for us to show the rest of Alberta how great this region is, how passionate the people are, and how well we work together to make events like these happen.”
The games will run from July 19th to 22nd in the City and County of Grande Prairie. They were part of the push for city council to approve the $4.7 million grandstand at the Community Knowledge Campus field, and McNeil says she’s confident it will be built in time.
“It is a city project, but in terms of everything we’ve heard, it’s all on track and it’s going to be amazing.”
Plans for the opening ceremonies to be hosted at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum are being kept under wraps, but they’re promised to be a showcase of culture and local performers.
