PENTICTON — After a whirlwind four days of competition, the 28th edition of the B.C. Winter Games came to a close Sunday.
The Games featured 17 sports and showcased the skills of more than 1,300 athletes in the province, some of them aiming to become household names.
“I’m striving for the Olympics and it’s just a couple of years from now,” says Hallie Jenkins, an alpine skier from Kelowna. “This was very important for sponsors looking at me.”
In total 533 medals were awarded. While only some are taking home the shiny hardware, they all leave with new friendships.
“At the dance, you meet a lot of people from other sports…from all over B.C.,” says Amelia Wells of Vancouver Island.
The provincial government provided $500,000, and fundraisers also raised the same amount to put on the Games.
Bill Bidlake, the 2016 B.C. Winter Games President, estimates the final bill will likely be in the neighbourhood of $800,000.
“The money that is left over is what we call a Legacy. And we will determine what that money will go towards in the community,” says Bidlake.
Besides the financial support, more than 1,900 volunteers contributed to the event’s success.
The bid is now open to host the 2020 Winter Games and Bidlake encourages other communities to consider it.
“It really pulls your community together. At times it can be frustrating, but there are other times, I think it is such a valuable asset to have,” he says.
Abbotsford will be hosting the B.C. Summer Games from July 21 to 24.
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