Media Releases
ABBOTSFORD SPIRIT OF BC COMMUNITY COMMITTEE HOSTS REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE
Vancouver, B.C. (June 26, 2007): 2010 Legacies Now™ and the Abbotsford Spirit of BC Community Committee are hosting a roundtable for Spirit of BC community committees in the Lower Mainland region.
"Spirit of BC is an expression of pride in our province, and pride in one’s community," said Allen Langdon, director of the Spirit of BC program for 2010 Legacies Now™. "This roundtable will give the Lower Mainland committees a chance to discuss their regional objectives for 2010 and begin coordinating plans for community celebrations as part of BC2008 – the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of British Columbia."
The roundtable runs June 26 and 27 at the Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre. Attendees will include representatives from the following Spirit of BC committees: Bowen Island, Coquitlam, Delta, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope Region, Langley, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, Mission, New Westminster, Pemberton Valley, Richmond, Squamish, Surrey and White Rock.
"Abbotsford is excited to celebrate B.C.’s 150th anniversary – it’s a chance to show residents and visitors alike what makes our community unique," said Christine Wiebe, chair of the Abbotsford Spirit of BC Committee. "We also want to ensure the entire Lower Mainland region benefits from B.C. hosting the 2010 Winter Games. This roundtable will help our Spirit of BC committees work together as we make plans for 2008, as well as 2010 and beyond."
Guest speakers at the roundtable will include Chris Gudgeon, project manager for BC2008 with the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, and Shaun Poole, communications specialist with the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Cynthia McEwan, director of Accessibility and Inclusion Initiatives for 2010 Legacies Now™, will discuss the Measuring Up program, which strives to improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of British Columbia’s communities for people with disabilities and others.
Last month, the provincial government announced $1 million in funding to help communities stage local BC2008 celebrations. B.C. communities can apply for these funds, once they have developed a celebration plan in partnership with their Spirit of BC community committee.
"BC2008 celebrates the people and events that have shaped our province into the Best Place on Earth, ranging from a proud First Nations heritage to the pioneering spirit that helped B.C. evolve from a fur-trading outpost to a world-class destination to work, live and play," said Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. "Spirit of BC community committees are a focal point for community pride. As we make plans to celebrate BC2008, they will bring members of the community together to showcase local achievements and B.C.’s cultural diversity."
Supported by 2010 Legacies Now™ and the Province of B.C., Spirit of BC is a province-wide program that promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. There are more than 95 Spirit of BC committees representing more than 200 communities across the province. For more information please visit www.SpiritofBC.com.
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.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Karen McDonald
Director, Communications
2010 Legacies Now™
Ph: 778.327.5180
Cell: 778.840.8779
Natasha Vander Wal
Manager, Communications
2010 Legacies Now™
Ph: 778.327.5189
Cell: 778.840.5189
