Volume 57 Number 19
Friday, May 12, 2017
Thompson, Manitoba
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Host society needs at least 500 more volunteers for Manitoba Games, school board hears BY KYLE DARBYSON KYLE@THOMPSONCITIZEN.NET
Even though the Manitoba Winter Games are about 10 months a year away, their importance was not overlooked at the May 9 board meeting for the School District of Mystery Lake. As co-chairs of the 2018 Manitoba Winter Games host society, Murray Kissick and Sandra Ross-Hitch treated the school board trustees to a quick presentation that detailed the rich history of the games and the obstacles that they will have to overcome to make next year’s iteration a success. More specifically, Kissick and Ross-Hitch were there to reinforce the fact that the school board played a pivotal role in helping jumpstart the 2018 festivities. “Before the society was even asked to do this, the city asked the school board for their facilities,” said Ross-Hitch. “So we were just there to thank them officially.” But more than anything, Kissick and Ross-Hitch attended the May 9 meeting at École Riverside to remind the trustees that events are proceeding on schedule. Ever since the town of Virden backed out of hosting the games at the last minute in December the host society in Thompson has had to play catch-up. “We should have been doing this about 18 months out and we started at 12 [months]. We’re now almost on track of where we should be,” said Ross-Hitch. At the meeting, Kissick
Nickel Belt News photo by Kyle Darbyson. 2018 Manitoba Games host society co-chairs Murray Kissick (left) and Sandra Ross-Hitch (right) update school board trustees at École Riverside on Tuesday, May 9. also emphasized that the biggest resource they need right now is volunteers. While the host society has already managed to recruit approximately 300 such volunteers, they need to register at least 500 more in order to run a successful event. “The only paid employee that is hired is the games co-ordinator, and that’s paid
through by Sport Manitoba,” said Kissick. “The rest is all volunteers.” For the host society, the next big hurdle they have to overcome is when the event’s biggest sponsor comes to town on May 26– 27 to gauge their progress. “Sport Manitoba and some of the sporting people are coming up and we tell
them where we are at to date and then they’ll tell us where we have to go from there,” said Ross-Hitch. While there is still plenty of work to be done, Kissick takes comfort in the cultural and economic boost that will accompany the estimated 3,000 athletes, coaches, officials and tourists who are expected to visit Thompson
on March 2018. “We know that it’s going to make an impact to a lot of the local businesses whether they’re a chain like A&W or McDonalds, or they’re a more local restaurant and/or store and/or hotel,” said Kissick. “Plus, being on former Nelson House treaty land, the indigenous people will
be recognized and we’ll bring that forth again with the elders into some ceremonies that we’re going to have.” The 2018 Manitoba Winter Games are set to take place March 4–10, 2018. To register as a volunteer, go to the games volunteer registration website at mg2018.gems.pro.
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