By Chad Klassen

2018 B.C. Winter Games organizing committee pushing for volunteers

Oct 18, 2017 | 4:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was nearly 40 years ago when the first B.C. Winter Games were held in Kamloops. It’s an event many believe started the city down the path of becoming the Tournament Capital of Canada. 

“It’s that event that got Kamloops going in the whole sport tourism. It gave Kamloops a bit of pride that we could rally around,” said President of the Kamloops Sports Council Henry Perjil. “It’s something we did quite well. That’s what led us to go hard after the ’93 Canada Games.”

On Tuesday night, four months ahead of the 2018 B.C. Winter Games, the organizing committee hosted a community awareness event to get people on board. 

“We are going to be welcoming 2,100 participants and that include coaches and officials and athletes to compete in 19 different sports at 11 different,” said President of the 2018 B.C. Winter Games Niki Remesz. 

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The events will be split between Kamloops and Sun Peaks. The Games are expected to bring a huge boost to the city in what is otherwise our off-season. 

“We expect the draw into Kamloops will be about $2 million in terms of spinoff,” said mayor Ken Christian. “But it’s more about offering those sporting experiences to the 2,000 participants and their families.”

The games will also need around 2,000 volunteers, and the committee will be making a push in the coming months. 

“The event is Feb. 22-25, so we are looking for volunteers to help us out and sign up for about eight hours just over a weekend to create the best event Kamloops has ever seen.”