The Mountain View County policies and priorities committee has been given an update on the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
The review came during the committee’s recent regularly scheduled meeting in council chambers.
A delegation from the Games, made up of Lyn Radford and Ervanna Griffiths, appeared before the committee outlining plans and work already completed.
The Games are scheduled to take place from February 15 to March 3, mostly in Red Deer, but also in Red Deer County, Calgary and elsewhere.
There will be about 3,600 athletes competing in 19 sports, with more than 125,000 visitors expected to watch events live and more than 5,000,000 on television.
The Games are expected to create 2,500 jobs, with spending of about $45 million in the region, said Radford.
There will also be arts and cultural festivals running in conjunctions with the Games.
About 5,000 volunteers will be needed to make the Games possible, with recruiting of volunteers getting underway soon, including in Mountain View County.
“Volunteer benefits are amazing,” said Griffiths. “We know everyone will have a great experience with this.”
Radford outlined some of the options the county may want to pursue in terms of municipal sponsorship.
Sponsorship options range from $5,000 to $250,000.
“We hope your community will want to take advantage of this once in a generation opportunity to engage your community and support the 2019 Games,” said Radford.
“From development of volunteers in your community, promoting your community on a national stage, to connecting with businesses and leaders from across Canada, the 2019 Canada Winter Games will be the place to be.”
Committee members passed a motion calling for the municipal sponsorship options and other information to be reviewed by the county’s economic development officer and a report be made back to the committee.
Members also passed a motion calling for a Games delegation to appear before an upcoming MAP (municipal area partnership) meeting.
