And away we go.
After untold hours of work by the local Alberta Winter Games organizing committee, and with support from our municipalities, the business community, provincial funding, volunteers signing up and venue preparation taking all over the Bow Valley – let the games begin.
First off, we would like to preach a little patience as, with about three thousand athletes, coaches and staff, along with who knows how many friends and family arriving, our Bow Valley will be hopping everywhere. There’s hardly a venue in the valley that won’t be in use for the Winter Games and we will see traffic congestion throughout this weekend of athletic endeavours.
Toss in a section of Canmore’s Main Street being closed to house Snow Tracks and getting around will prove challenging.
On the upside, though, is the fact the Bow Valley will be showcased as we share our mountain towns with athletes and visitors. People from across Alberta will be able to take in and enjoy the vistas, venues, dining, hospitality, sights and sounds that we all enjoy daily.
Along with the fact that, in all likelihood, a quality Winter Games experience will mean return visits, thus boosting tourism locally over the years, hosting the event has already provided up-side.
In the realm of science and our environment, via the Games sustainability committee and with Bullfrog Power on board, Banff Community High School has already seen its solar power array boosted to 12 kilowatts as a legacy (page 33). The solar power project should be not only a quality educational tool, but it will also hopefully help the students of today become and energy-conscious adults of tomorrow.
Then again, kudos must be given to members of the Games’ sustainability committee which has worked hard to make the event carbon neutral – quite a feat for what will be a large event locally (page 12).
In setting an example with no sales of bottled water (nothing wrong with our water), using carbon offsets and going big with waste stations, the committee, along with Bow Valley Waste Commission, is likely setting a standard for future Winter Games events, wherever they should take place.
Many Bow Valley residents believe themselves to be greener than most, so taking extensive steps to keep the games green is nicely in keeping with our image – as is the entire philosophy of the Winter Games in encouraging and keeping young people active.
As pointed out by committee co-director Joey O’Brien, green initiatives were lacking at the most recent Alberta Summer Games event in Lethbridge and at the over-55 games – meaning young athletes and over-55 competitors alike weren’t treated to a green games. That’s a little embarrassing for 2013-14.
Best of all, once the Games have wrapped up successfully, a sustainability report will be fashioned that can then be used as a template for future, similar events – a made-in-the Bow Valley solution, if you will, to more environmentally friendly large-scale events.
In the end, the 2014 Alberta Winter Games here in our Bow Valley should provide many positive experiences, set positive standards and generally have Albertans looking positively at our friendly little valley.
