MEDIA RELEASES
March 15 , 2007
Portage la Prairie to Host 2010 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games
Premier Gary Doer has announced $160,000 in support of Portage la Prairie's successful bid to host the 2010 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games.
"Portage la Prairie submitted a strong bid package along with an equally impressive presentation and outstanding facility tour," Doer said here today. "Portage's dedicated community volunteers took leadership roles and ownership of the bid, and Portage showed they have excellent facilities to host the games program."
Doer noted that Portage la Prairie also has a strong sporting history and recently hosted the Canada Senior Games and the Manitoba Sectional Skating Championships last year.
"The Power Smart Manitoba Games are a major sport development program of Sport Manitoba, contributing significantly to the development of athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and communities throughout the province," said Sport Manitoba President and CEO Jeff Hnatiuk. "We congratulate the City of Portage la Prairie and its volunteer leaders on the success of their bid and look forward to supporting them in fulfilling their plans to stage a first-rate event in 2010."
The 2010 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games will be held March 8 to 14, 2010, involving up 3,500 participants and 2,000 volunteers. Sporting events include badminton, male and female curling, male and female hockey, figure skating, five-pin bowling, artistic gymnastics, cross-country skiing, male and female volleyball and Special Olympics five-pin bowling.
Communities submit a formal bid package detailing plans for athlete services, hospitality, volunteers, organization structure, sport legacy and finances. This year, five communities submitted bids: the cities of Thompson, Selkirk and Portage, the Town of Killarney and a joint bid by Minnedosa-Neepawa.
"I commend all the groups that competed to host the games for their enthusiasm and recognition of the valuable impact the games can have on the host community which is estimated to be up to $1 million," said Doer.
The host site selection committee, consisting of members from the Manitoba Games Council and Sport Manitoba, evaluated the bids and also performed on-site facility evaluations.
The Power Smart Manitoba Games take place every two years, alternating between summer and winter events.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Barry Moroz
Sport Manitoba Communications
925-5903
Email
