BY ERIN FAWCETT
Officials with the 2019 Canada Winter Games unveiled their brand, web site and announced new sponsors at a press conference recently in Red Deer.
Hosted at the Welikoklad Event Centre, the 2019 Games brand kick-off featured a ‘brand story’ video, a launch of the canadagames.ca/2019 web site and revealed the tag line of “The is our Moment”.
“We are progressive, supportive and passionate and our brand and tag line are reflective of the bold spirit of the Host Society and our community,” said Lyn Radford, chair of the 2019 Canada Winter Games board. “In 2019, our community will be showcased to the nation, athletes will compete at the highest level of their athletic careers and thousands of volunteers will make a positive impact. This is our moment!”
She added signage reflecting the brand will begin to be placed at the host venues to add to the excitement of the Games.
“The brand unveiling is a major milestone for each Canada Games Host Society,” said Canada Games Council Chairman Tom Quinn. “The 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer will host Canada’s largest multi-sport event in less than two years’ time and many unbelievable moments are sure to take place as the nation’s top athletes from coast to coast to coast will compete.”
Also announced last Friday morning were two new sponsors - Peavey Industries as a gold sponsor who will be the presenting sponsor of biathlon and cross-country skiing and Kipp Scott GMC Cadillac Buick as a bronze sponsor who will provide the 2019 Games with a pre-Games fleet.
“In two years, our City has a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our community on a national stage as we welcome athletes and visitors to Red Deer from across the country,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “We have numerous construction projects, made possible by the Games, underway as we get ready to host and welcome the 2019 Canada Winter Games.”
As for what’s next, Radford said more corporate sponsors will be announced in upcoming months and officials will begin their venue planning and provide updates on where those venues are.
“Our next marker will be in October or November and that will be our 500 days out and that will be another bang up celebration,” said Radford, adding a general call out for Games time volunteers will be late this year or early 2018. About 4,000 volunteers will needed at Games time.
It was back in September of 2014 that the City landed the bid to host the 2019 Canada Winter Games during a special event at the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.
Featuring 19 sports, more than 150 events and a major cultural festival, the 2019 Canada Winter Games will welcome up to 3,600 athletes, managers and coaches and more than 20,000 visitors.
The 2019 Games will also be the largest event ever hosted in Red Deer and Central Alberta and one of the largest events to be hosted in Alberta in over three decades, since the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
As the web site noted, the event is forecasted to generate an economic impact of over $132 million.
“The 2019 Games will also provide a stage for Canada’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions to compete.”
The Games will mark the 27th edition of the Canada Games and the third time the Canada Games have been hosted in Alberta. Previously, Alberta hosted the Canada Games in 1975 (Lethbridge) and 1995 (Grande Prairie).
As organizers point out, the, “2019 Canada Winter Games will leave a lasting legacy of new and enhanced sport facilities and volunteer and leadership development that will benefit athletes and the broader central Alberta community for years to come.”
For more information, visit canadagames.ca/2019.
-with files by Mark Weber
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com