Eight communities from the 2015 Canada Winter Games Regional Community Torch Celebration competition are going head-to-head in an online vote to determine which communities will host the 2015 Games Regional Torch Celebrations, as part of the 2015 Games Torch Relay.
One community in each region of northern B.C. has the opportunity to host a Canada Winter Games regional torch celebration — in what will be the largest 2015 Games celebration outside of Prince George — leading up to the 2015 Games.
Voting is open at www.canadagames2015.ca and ends on Sept. 12, 2014, at 11:59 p.m.
“The quality of submissions we received from communities across the region were remarkable,” 2015 Canada Winter Games CEO Stuart Ballantyne said.
“Now, it’s up to British Columbians to help decide what communities will host 2015 Canada Winter Games Regional Community Torch Celebrations.”
The finalists in each region are:
Northwest — Terrace and New Hazelton
Northeast — Fort St. John, Chetwynd, Dawson Creek and Pouce Coupe
Central Interior — Williams Lake and Quesnel.
The City of Williams Lake has submitted an Expression of Interest to host a celebration, which would celebrate all of the unique aspects of the area through song, dance and word and would recognize the importance that culture and sport play in the area. The event would feature local cultural groups, performers, and musicians, as well as a free family swim and skate before or after the celebration event. The city has committed $5,000 to the event.
Visit www.canadagames2015.ca to learn more about the communities and to vote for a deserving community in one or all three regions.
The three successful communities will be announced Sept. 24, 2014, at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention.
On Oct. 15, 2014 a national ceremony will be held to light the Canada Games Torch from the Centennial Flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Canada Winter Games Flame will then travel across the country to kick off the B.C. leg of the relay in Victoria on Oct. 17, passing through two previous Canada Games Host communities on its way to illuminate the north.
On Nov. 4, 2014, 100 days will be left on the countdown clock to the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
The northern B.C. route of the torch relay will start in Prince George at the newly renovated Canada Games Plaza and begin to travel throughout northern B.C.
The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport cultural event to ever be held in Prince George and northern B.C.
Athletes from 10 provinces and three territories will compete in 19 sports with the dream of becoming Canada’s next champions.