By Tarrah Harvey

Kamloops ready to host the world

Mar 24, 2016 | 4:03 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Tournnament Capital is getting ready to welcome the world with the start of the Women’s World Hockey Championships next week.

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“As you can see behind me we have signs going up, we’re moving in right now, we’re trying to get everything set up for this rink and Mac Arthur Island” said General Manager Riley Wiwchar.

That’s where the four hundred and fifty volunteers come in. Wiwchar says the residence of Kamloops have been amazing, taking on the numerous roles that go into putting on an event of this kind.

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“We got people looking after everything from transportation to team services. We’ve got people that are actually going to be with the teams for the time they’re in Kamloops, so they stay with them twenty four seven and really serve as embassadors to Kamloops,” said Wiwchar. “Theirs a wide variety of people that are involved in it, it really does take all 450 people to make sure we’re ready for this.”

Organizers say the World Championships have been eight months in the makig and expect it to be a benchmark for future events like this in the city. This is the first time the championship has been held in BC in its 26 year history. Next week will mark the second major international women’s hockey event held in Kamloops in the span of 18 months, which is having a positive impact already. 

“Even at our minor hockey office we’ve had girls coming in because of this event, they’ve never played hockey before but want to lace up and get out there, so I think both from a city and from a minor hockey, grassroots level I think it’s a great opportunity for the city and for hockey in general” said John Pankuch, Co Chair of the Champioships.

The hotels that usually see a slower season at this time of year say this event has meant a boost in business.

“It drives additional revenus to not only hotels but to gas stations and restaurants down town so it’s a good thing for the community” said Joey Beltrano, General Manager of the Doubletree hotel.

The eight international teams are begining to arrive with games startig on Monday. Fans will get their first look at team Canada when they take the ice for an exhibition game Saturday at 6:00pm against team Sweden.

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