Media Releases
FAMILY SKATE DAY KICKS OFF SPIRIT OF BC WEEK
More Than 30 Communities Participate In Family Skate/Swim Day across the Province
Vancouver, B.C. (February 4, 2006) - Minster of Economic Development Colin Hansen was joined today by Marion Lay, CEO of 2010 Legacies Now, and John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) at Minoru Arena in Richmond to kick-off Spirit of BC Week 2006. Local figure skaters and speed skaters joined in a public skate as the Spirit of BC flag was raised into the rafters and Spirit of BC Week 2006 was officially proclaimed.
"Spirit of BC is about helping communities get involved and seize the opportunities that are available as we approach 2010," says Minister Hansen. "It's inspiring to see that with today's event, and similar events taking place across B.C., the Spirit of BC is developing a momentum of its own."
Spirit of BC Week 2006 runs from February 3 - 10 and features over 225 events in more than 70 communities across the province. Cities and towns across B.C. are putting on a range of events including arts celebrations, "schmockey" tournaments, winter festivals, literacy days, ice carving competitions, ski races, volunteer recognition nights, and photo competitions.
Thanks to the Province of British Columbia, 2010 Legacies Now and the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), through their member groups, over 30 communities will participate in a Family Skate or Swim as arenas and pools open their doors for a fun day of skating and swimming.
"These types of programs are only successful if you have local community support," says Marion Lay, CEO of 2010 Legacies Now. "The success of Spirit of BC Week and the Family Skate Day is a tribute to the efforts of more than 90 Spirit of BC Community Committees that work year-round to showcase programs and promote events in their communities."
"On behalf of Vancouver 2010, I am thrilled to take part in the kick-off of the second Spirit of BC Week and to acknowledge the work of the more than 90 Spirit of BC Community Committees in organizing an incredible number of events across the province," said John Furlong, CEO of Vancouver 2010. "The Spirit of BC Community Committees are an inspiration to us all as we begin to feel the excitement the Games will bring to our province and our country in 2010."
The focus of Spirit of BC Week 2006 is 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 are encouraged to feature events not only in sport and recreation but in arts and culture, volunteerism, and literacy.
A contest to be featured throughout the week asks communities to take a picture of the Spirit of BC logo displayed in unique and innovative ways. The top three pictures are going to be published in the daily newspaper from British Columbia – Canada Place (www.bccanadaplace.ca) in Torino during the 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
For more information on Spirit of BC Week, and a complete calendar of events, visit www.SpiritofBC.com
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Media Contact:
Ian Buckley
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now
778-327-5155
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.
