Media Releases
SPIRIT OF BC WEEK SHOWS REMARKABLE GROWTH
Participation in Week Long Celebration Increases by Over 70%
Vancouver, B.C. (February 14, 2006) - The 2nd Annual Spirit of BC Week eclipsed the success of its inaugural year as a number of new communities signed on to take part in the province-wide festival. Spirit of BC Week 2006, which ran from February 3 – 10, featured over 230 events in more than 70 communities across the province. A sampling of these events included arts celebrations, winter festivals, "schmockey" tournaments, literacy days, ice carving competitions, ski races, volunteer recognition nights, and a photo competition.
"As we watch the excitement of the Games in Italy and mark just four years to go until 2010, it's exciting to see the phenomenal growth of Spirit of BC Week as a reflection of the growing excitement in communities across the province," said the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier, British Columbia. "Spirit of BC Week has become a platform for communities to direct their enthusiasm and optimism into a program of events that celebrate their local community spirit."
In its inaugural year, 41 communities participated in Spirit of BC Week 2005 through events such as community walks, flag raising ceremonies, family skates and other community oriented activities.
The focus of Spirit of BC Week 2006 was to encourage all communities to embrace the spirit of achievement, effort, inclusion, celebration and excellence, the five elements that define the Spirit of BC. This year communities were encouraged to feature events not only in sport and recreation but in arts and culture, volunteerism, and literacy.
"We are very excited with the success of Spirit of BC Week 2006 and are happy to see that not only did more communities participate, but that many expanded their programs to include arts and literacy events," said Marion Lay, President of 2010 Legacies Now. "The credit for this success really needs to go to the volunteers of the Spirit of BC Community Committees that worked to develop and promote these events and create a strong foundation for Spirit of BC Week 2007 and beyond."
A contest featured throughout the week asked communities to take a picture of the Spirit of BC Week 2006 logo displayed in unique and innovative ways. The top three photos, Coquitlam, Powell River Ayjoomixw, and North Thompson Valley, will be published in the daily newspaper from British Columbia – Canada Place www.bccanadaplace.ca in Torino during the 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The pictures can also be viewed on the Spirit of BC website at www.SpiritofBC.com
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Media Contact:
Ian Buckley
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
604-659-1394
Spirit of BC
More than 90 Spirit of BC Community Committees are working together to leverage Olympic, Paralympic, and other community opportunities in the areas of sport and recreation, arts and culture, literacy and volunteerism. Supported by the Province of B.C. and 2010 Legacies Now, the Spirit of BC Community Committees are committed to developing local programs and events that demonstrate the five elements that define the Spirit of BC - achievement, effort, inclusion, celebration and excellence. For more information, visit www.SpiritofBC.com.
2010 Legacies Now
2010 Legacies Now is a not-for-profit society that works in partnership with community organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector and all levels of government to develop sustainable legacies in sport and recreation, arts, literacy and volunteerism. 2010 Legacies Now actively assists communities to discover and create unique and inclusive social and economic opportunities leading up to and beyond the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information please visit www.2010LegaciesNow.com.
