October 12,
2000
The
Daily Bulletin (Kimberley)
Sandra
Albers
Hard on the heels
of the Sydney Olympics comes news that Kimberley will bid to become host
city for the 2004 B.C. Winter Games. Then, just a few days after that
announcement, we hear that Cranbrook is planning to bid on either the
2004 or 2006 B.C. Summer Games.
I think both bids
should be enthusiastically supported, for a number of reasons. The
timing couldn't be better for Kimberley, as this community makes the
transition from a mining town to a tourism and recreation-based economy.
Having the B.C.Winter Games here, should our bid be successful, would be
an excellent way to advertise the attractions of our expanding downhill
ski resort, beautiful cross-country trails and other winter sports
amenities.
Similarly, should
Cranbrook host the provincial Summer Games at some point in the future,
the spinoffs in terms of publicity for the natural and man-made wonders
of the East Kootenays would be incalculable. Such endeavours also
have a way of pulling a community together.
The B.C. Winter
Games bid package suggests that it takes from 3,000 to 4,000 volunteers
to run the event successfully. Well, that's a lot of volunteers in a
town of 7,000 or so souls, a proportion of which, of course, are
children. Might as well say that just about every person in Kimberley
will have to get involved in one way or another. But that's a good
thing. It should also be remembered that Kimberley has already hosted a
provincial winter games, two decades ago, in 1980. If we could do it
then, we can certainly do it now. And hey, any community that can
virtually double its population for the International Old-Time Accordion
Championships, with few apparent problems, should find hosting a winter
games a piece of cake.
Cranbrook also has
experience as a host city, having hosted the 1986 version of the Summer
Games provincially.
The winter games
bid package further indicates that some 175 classrooms would be needed
to billet 18 persons per room. Sporting facilities on the required list
include four arenas, one curling rink, a downhill ski facility, a
cross-country and biathlon ski area, bowling lanes, 10 gyms and a
swimming pool. Another reason to support the bid -- Kimberley obviously
already has most of those venues, with the glaring exception of the
swimming pool. Maybe successfully bidding on these Games would
force our fair community into pushing ahead quickly on the much-needed
indoor pool.
It should also be
noted that facilities in neighboring communities can be used if that
community is less than one hour away. And that leads me to another good
reason -- if either or both communities are chosen as hosts, Cranbrook
and Kimberley will have no choice but to cooperate with one another. The
Kimberley committee is already planning to appeal to Cranbrook City
Council for support.
Wouldn't it be
wonderful if a successful Games bid were to help put an end to the
sometimes petty rivalries between the two communities. If
Kimberley should host the 2004 B.C. Winter Games, I would hope Cranbrook
residents would be happy for us. If Cranbrook should host the province's
Summer Games the same year, or perhaps two years later, I would fully
expect Kimberley residents to cheer them on. I hope that's not wishful
thinking!
Finally, anything
that promotes physical fitness is surely a good thing. Much was made in
the aftermath of the Sydney Olympics of Canada's relatively poor medal
showing, and that Canada either doesn't pour enough money into sports in
general, or that it spreads it around to everybody instead of targeting
the elite athletes that stand a chance of winning gold, silver or bronze
on the world stage. Canada is, as usual, accused of being just too darn
nice. Well, I happen to like Canada's approach. Medals aren't
everything, and just getting there (whether to the Olympics or to the
B.C. Games) is cause to celebrate.
So cross your
fingers and let the Games begin, East Kootenay style.
Sandra Albers is a
Kimberley columnist
Charles
La Vertu, Communications Branch
Ministry
of Small Business, Tourism and Culture
6th
floor, 1405 Douglas St., P.O. Box 9805 Stn. Prov Gov
Victoria,
B.C. Canada V8W 9W1, Ph: 250-356-5795
Fax:250-387-3798,
E: Charles.Lavertu@gems6.gov.bc.ca
