Media Releases
MORE THAN 100 B.C. COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE SPIRIT OF BC WEEK 2008
Vancouver, B.C. (February 18, 2008): More than 100 communities celebrated Spirit of BC® Week February 8-16 with more than 350 events, including festivals, musical performances and sport tournaments.
"Over the past week, British Columbians of all ages have shared their community spirit by participating in events that showcase what their city or town has to offer," said Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia. "Spirit of BC Week is about exploring the arts and culture, being active and healthy, and getting involved in your community. I look forward to Spirit of BC Week 2009, and the growing excitement in our province as British Columbia gets ready to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."
"During Spirit of BC Week, community committees and their local partners hosted more than 350 events, from winter festivals and arts showcases to literary readings and free family skate days," said Bruce Dewar, CEO of 2010 Legacies Now. "Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our committee members and community partners, Spirit of BC Week is gaining momentum and becoming an established tradition that will continue beyond 2010."
More than 60 Spirit of BC committees, representing more than 100 communities, organized last week’s festivities. For example, in the Comox Valley, the local committee worked with partners to support eight events, including Jackrabbits cross-country skiing at Mount Washington, free swimming and skating in Courtenay, and a gymnastics meet presented by Comox’s Chimo Gymnastics Club.
"Through the efforts of our community volunteers, Spirit of BC Week 2008 was a major success," said Susan Kelsey, chair of the Comox Valley Spirit of BC Committee. "We encouraged everyone to be active, and Comox Valley residents responded enthusiastically at indoor and outdoor events. Our region proved once again that it is a leader in embracing the passion and spirit of the 2010 Winter Games."
Spirit of BC Week was first held as a countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and has grown into a celebration of British Columbia and its unique communities. Held annually in February, it’s a week of events and activities showcasing British Columbians’ pride in their province and profiling local programs and services.
The Spirit of BC® program promotes community innovation, pride and excellence to create unique and lasting legacies for British Columbians, leading up to the 2010 Winter Games and beyond. The backbone of the program is a network of 100 Spirit of BC committees representing more than 200 communities across the province.
Supported by the Province of B.C. and 2010 Legacies Now, the committees aim to inspire people of all ages to address needs in their community related to sport and recreation, healthy living, arts and culture, literacy and volunteerism. Spirit of BC committees also work to inform the community about opportunities arising from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. For more information, please visit www.SpiritofBC.com.
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Media Contacts:
Karen McDonald
Director, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-840-8779
kmcdonald@2010LegaciesNow.com
About 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.
