50th Anniversary Canada Games Flag Arrives in Regina for Canada 150
REGINA, SK (June 28, 2017) – The Canada Games flag arrived in Regina on June 28th as part of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the Canada Games, Canada’s largest multi-sport and cultural event for youth. As a Canada 150 Signature project, a unique 50th anniversary Canada Games flag is travelling across Canada celebrating each of the past Host Communities. Its ultimate destination will be the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg on July 28th.
‘’The Canada Games Flag Relay is an exciting tradition that re-ignites the passion of the Canada Games in past Host Communities and spreads the spirit of the Games throughout the nation,’’ said Tom Quinn, Chairman of the Canada Games Council. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to see the flag trek across the country celebrating all that each past host community has built for the Canada Games property.’’
Today, the Canada Games Flag Relay and Community Celebration was in Regina. Approximately 35 individuals gathered at 2:00 P.M. to watch the flag raising at Regina City Hall. In attendance were many from the Regina sporting community: Canada Games alumni, 2017 Team Sask athletes, coaches, parents of athletes, and sports administrators. Mayor Michael Fougere provided greetings. “Hosting the Canada Games in 2005 was the experience of a lifetime for a lot of Regina at athletes, coaches, and sports fans,” said Fougere. “Raising this commemorative flag is a remarkable opportunity for us to honour the legacy of the Games and help the entire country get excited for this year’s anniversary competition.”
Fougere was followed by 2017 Team Sask Chef de Mission and Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Games Council Mark Bracken, who spoke about the enduring legacy the 2005 Games left on the province's sporting community. 2005 Canada Games alumni and current Head Coach of the University of Regina Cougars Track & Field and Cross-Country Teams Wade Huber completed the short program and detailed his lasting impressions of the Games, calling it "one of the best sporting experiences of my athletic career." Huber competed in Athletics for Team Sask alongside 2016 Olympic Bronze medalist Brianne Thiesen-Eaton, and went on to a decorated Track & Field career in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) system.
In 2005, Regina hosted the Games and the community has benefitted from its legacies ever since. The Games’ $6 million capital budget provided funding to 17 of the 18 sport venues. As well, major capital projects completed as part of the lead-up to the Games which have left a lasting impact on the Regina sport and recreation community include the construction of the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport at the University of Regina; construction of the Credit Union Eventplex; and the “big dig” in Wascana Lake. As a result of the $3.4 million in financial surplus following the Games, a number of athletic and educational grants and fellowships were created. Additionally, many of the province's sport and culture programming areas benefited and new programs were created, notably the Dream Brokers program.
While the primary reasons for continuing to hold the Canada Games are to contribute to sport and athlete development across the country, the Canada Games are also about community development and pride. In fact, the Canada Games include economic, social and cultural benefits that impact the host region and province as well as the participants, volunteers and spectators who experience the Games.
In its 50 year history, the Canada Games has cumulatively invested over $250 million in capital projects across the country.
The 2017 Canada Games Flag Relay officially launched on February 11th in Quebec City, host of the very first Canada Games back in 1967. This edition of the Flag Relay is the first time that each past Host Community is engaged and will be hosting an event to commemorate their Games.
To learn more about Team Sask's contingent of 440+ athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff who will compete for national glory at the 2017 Canada Summer Games, visit teamsask.ca.
For more information about when the Canada Games were held in our city, visit: canadagames.ca/host-societies.
To find out where the flag will travel next, visit: canadagames.ca/events-calendar.
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