2019 Canada Winter Games
Canada Winter Games News
Chefs de Mission Return to Red Deer
For the next three days, the Chefs de Mission and their assistants from Canada’s 13 provinces and territories return to Red Deer to review the plans and progress of the 2019 Canada Winter Games as they attend the Mission Conference #2.
“This is an important opportunity for the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society and Canada Games Council to share with the Chefs de Mission a variety of Games time plans and procedures that affect participants in the 2019 Games,” said Scott Robinson, CEO of the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society. “Equally important is the opportunity for the Chefs de Mission to provide feedback to the Host Society staff and Canada Games Council on the plans and procedures presented to assist in the delivery of a life-shaping Games experience in 2019.”
The role of the Chefs de Mission is to coordinate their provincial or territorial team, which includes Mission Staff and the athletes. Their responsibilities go beyond the sport competitions to the overall organization of the Games in regards to logistical planning areas, including transportation, food services and athlete services.
“The Provincial and Territorial mission teams play a key role in ensuring the Canada Games remain an event that continues to catalyze the development Canada's youth, athletes and communities,” said David Patterson, Canada Games Council President and CEO. “The 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society has been hard at work developing plans and as we get closer and closer to the Games, we will start to execute those plans. These meetings are the perfect opportunity for mission teams to provide valuable feedback to help us all deliver an unforgettable experience here in Red Deer.”
Latest 2019 Games Sponsors Unveiled
The 2019 Canada Winter Games is pleased to welcome six new organizations to its growing sponsor roster.
“Today, we are pleased to announce six new sponsors who have stepped up to support Canada’s largest multi-sport and cultural event,” said Lyn Radford, Board Chair of the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society. “With the support of Navigator, Bower Place, Bamboo Shoots, Clearview Market Dental, Production World and Troubled Monk we are well on our way to deliver on our mission to deliver a life-shaping Games experience in February 2019.”
Navigator Ltd. is Canada's leading high stakes public strategy and communication firm. Joining the 2019 Games as a Gold Sponsor, Navigator is the sponsor of the 2019 Games media centre.
“Navigator is proud to be a sponsor of the 2019 Canada Winter Games and we understand the importance of corporate sponsorship in keeping grassroots events like the Canada Games alive,” said former Canada Games athlete and current Navigator Managing Principal, Jason Hatcher. “Canada’s next generation of superstars will hit the stage at the 2019 Canada Winter Games. They will leave the Games having developed skills such as leadership, commitment and teamwork, as well as life changing memories. Canada is the only country that hosts an internal national games to this scale and our country’s outstanding performance on the world stage is representative of the success of the Canada Games program.”
Also joining the 2019 Games as a Gold Sponsor is Bower Place.
“Bower Place is proud to be a recipient of a gold sponsorship with the 2019 Canada Winter Games,” said Carlene McDonald, Marketing Director for Bower Place. “The unique partnership we have created together will bring a sense of excitement and community to the centre and we are looking forward to the events coming in the months ahead.”
The 2019 Games video production company, Bamboo Shoots Video Production is a Bronze Sponsor of the 2019 Games.
“Bamboo Shoots is thrilled to be involved with the games,” said Wally Start, owner of Bamboo Shoots. “The Canada Games are an important part of Canadian’s lives and we’re happy to be a part of the Red Deer Games.”
Clearview Market Dental is a proud Bronze Sponsor of the 2019 Games.
“As a family oriented practice, we are thrilled to partner with the 2019 Games,” said Dr. Nar Gill, owner Clearview Market Dental. “We are excited to celebrate with our clients and fellow Red Deerians in 2019.”
Production World is supporting the 2019 Games in the audio visual delivery of the 2019 Games Festival and as a Bronze Sponsor.
"Production World is proud to be a sponsorship partner of the 2019 Winter Games,” said Jon Beckett, President Production World. “We look forward to showcasing our expertise as this world class event comes to central Alberta."
The sponsor of the Festival beer gardens, Troubled Monk Brewery also joins the 2019 Games sponsor roster as a Bronze Sponsor.
“One of the most exciting things about the Games coming to Red Deer is the opportunity to build community,” said Charlie Bredo, Co-founder, Troubled Monk Brewery. “Community is built by everyday people rallying around a common goal to achieve something special. Sharing a craft beverage, or two, usually helps in the process. The Troubled Monk is thrilled to be a part of this event and to help build our community and leave a legacy that will last for many years to come."
2019 Canada Winter Games Unveil Festival Lineup
The 2019 Canada Winter Games is proud to announce their 100 per cent Canadian artist line-up for the 52° North Music and Cultural Festival. Presented by ATB and ATCO, the 52° North Music and Cultural Festival features Juno and Canadian Country Music Association award winners and is the first multi-cultural event to ever be hosted in central Alberta during the winter.
“In February 2019, an exciting line-up of artists, including Alan Doyle, Bif Naked, Brett Kissel, Gord Bamford, Scott Helman, The Strumbellas, Walk off the Earth, Wide Mouth Mason and many more perform in Red Deer,” said Lyn Radford, Board Chair of the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society. “In addition to the main stage talent, the 52° North Music and Cultural Festival also features a number of theatre and visual artists groups on a community stage - providing an opportunity to really showcase local and provincial talent to visitors across the nation and for central Albertans to enjoy. And to top it off, this all ages festival is free to attend!”
From February 16 until March 1, 2019, over 80 music, theatre and visual artist groups, perform over 10 nights as part of 52° North Music. All 52° North entertainment is free to the public and hosted at the Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza, which is set to open in November.
“The 2019 Canada Winter Games are a great opportunity to not only cheer on our amazing athletes, but also showcase Canadian arts and culture,” said the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport. “This winter, escape the cold and head to the 52° North Music and Cultural Festival to enjoy warm beats from some of Canada’s most talented artists.”
“Alberta is extremely proud to host the 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, adding to our long history of hosting world-class sport events,” said Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism. We are also very pleased to be able to showcase Alberta’s amazing music, theatre and visual artists for visitors from across the country at the 52° North Music and Cultural Festival. This event is shaping up to be one of the best ever, and we look forward to welcoming Canada to Red Deer in February.”
“The 52° North Music and Cultural Festival in the heart of downtown Red Deer will serve as the cultural hub during the Canada Games,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Our local arts and culture community will be celebrated and residents and visitors alike will experience the local talent Red Deer has to offer when we welcome our fellow Canadians to our community.”
"The Canada Games continue to be a catalyst to the development of sport by helping progress the careers of athletes, coaches and officials,” said Tom Quinn, Canada Games Council Chairman. “That being said, a huge component of the Games is the cultural aspect where many uber-talented Canadian acts perform and witness first-hand the magic of the Canada Games. We are honoured to have artists like Brett Kissel and Alan Doyle as alumni who have performed at past editions of the Canada Games and are thrilled that they’ll entertain us with their unbelievable talent this winter in Red Deer.”
“At ATB we are always looking for ways to create happiness for our customers, and for Albertans,” said Curtis Stange, President & CEO of ATB Financial. “Celebrating the Canada Winter Games with these outstanding artists is the perfect way to do that—and to welcome athletes and visitors to our province.”
“We’re honoured to support the talented and inspiring Canadian athletes at this terrific event being hosted right here in our home province,” said Nancy Southern, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO. “As a proud and deeply-rooted Alberta company, we know the hospitality, warmth and spirit of Albertans will provide an exceptional experience for the thousands of athletes, volunteers and sports enthusiasts from across the nation.”
2019 GAMES WELCOME LATEST SPONSORS
The 2019 Canada Winter Games welcomed Woody's RV World, Stantec, Red Deer Orthodontics, Q2 Artificial Lift Services, Finning Canada and Parkland Fuel to the sponsor roster.
To find out more, click here.
For photos from this announcement, check out our Flickr album here.
Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza Announced
The 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society celebrated another major milestone with the renaming of the Canada Games Celebration Plaza to the Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza following a significant contribution from central Alberta businessman Gary W. Harris.
“The 2019 Games is extremely grateful to Gary W. Harris for this meaningful contribution, which helps us create an accessible celebration space in the heart of downtown Red Deer,” said Lyn Radford, Board Chair with the 2019 Games. “The Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza is going to be an incredible legacy for our community and is a true tribute to volunteerism in central Alberta, with volunteer recognition as an important component of the plaza design.”
“I believe in volunteerism and Central Junior High School was an integral part of my youth, so supporting this initiative that marries two of my passions was an opportunity for me to make a meaningful contribution to my community and leave a legacy,” said Gary W. Harris. “I am incredibly proud to have this future community gathering space called the Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza in recognition of the valuable contributions of volunteers and to celebrate the 2019 Games.”
The Gary W. Harris Celebration Plaza is an inclusive and accessible gathering place for all in downtown Red Deer. An exciting legacy project of the 2019 Games, the plaza is currently under construction and scheduled to open in November 2018. During the 2019 Games, the plaza plays host to the major arts and cultural festival of the Games.
News Release: https://canadagames.ca/2019/gary-w-harris-celebration-plaza-announced
FIRST NATIONAL TORCH RELAY
The 2019 Canada Games, along with our partners from MNP, are undertaking the first national torch relay in the over 50 year history of the games.
The Torch will cover over 7000 kms and stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific with 26 relays and will visit 49 communities.
Our goal is to engage champions of sport and community across the country and share their stories as they carry the torch during this historic relay.
The torch will be lit in Ottawa on October, 4 2018 and the relay is divided into 4 legs and will feature 10-15 torch bearers per stop:
East:
Ottawa, ON - October 4, 2018
Halifax, NS - October 9, 2018
Montreal, QC - October 11, 2018
Niagara Region, ON - October 20, 2018
London, ON - October 23, 2018
Thunder Bay, ON - October 25, 2018
Central:
Winnipeg, MB - November 1, 2018
Regina, SK - November 6, 2018
Saskatoon, SK- November 10, 2018
Pacific:
Victoria, BC - November 21, 2018
Kelowna, BC - November 30, 2018
Prince George, BC* - December 8, 2018
Alberta:
Grand Prairie, AB - January 5, 2019
Edmonton, AB - January 8, 2019
Lloydminster, AB - January 9, 2019
Medicine Hat, AB - January 12, 2019
Lethbridge, AB - January 16, 2019
Calgary, AB - January 18, 2019
Rimbey, AB - January 23, 2019
Leduc, AB - January 25, 2019
Blackfalds, AB - January 29, 2019
Olds, AB - January 31, 2019
Lacombe, AB - February 2, 2019
Sylvan Lake, AB - February 5, 2019
Ponoka, AB - February 7, 2019
Red Deer, AB - February 15, 2019
If you are interested in carrying the torch, or know someone that should please fill out the nomination form online here and please share this across your networks.
