Prince George residents who want to wear their 2015 Canada Winter Games pride on their sleeve can now purchase official winter games apparel.
Canada Winter Games T-shirts and hoodies can be purchased exclusively at the Prince George Canadian Tire location, games director of revenue generation Todd Doherty said, and more items -including a line of scarves available next week -will be coming.
"Our merchandise [sales] goal is $150,000. Other Games [organizers] have done that much just at Game time. We're sure we're going to surpass that," Doherty said. "We fought very hard to get our gear out early."
Winter Games board chairperson Anthony Everett said he is confident in the demand for Games apparel.
"If I get asked two questions all the time it's about volunteering... and how people can get a piece of the Games," Everett said. "This is a Games first. In Canada Games history, we're the first to have our gear out this early."
Games organizers are working on developing an online store as well, however that is not yet ready to launch, Doherty said.
Canadian Tire owner Selen Alpay has "thrown a ton of effort" into having the merchandise ready for sale, Doherty said.
"I am so excited about this launch I can hardly contain myself..." Alpay said. "We are proud to be the exclusive retailer... We have committed 100 per cent of the total revenue raised will go back to the 2015 Canada Winter Games."
Winter Games hoodies sell for $49.99 and T-shirts sell for $24.99 to $26.99.
Mayor Shari Green said she appreciates a business like Canadian Tire backing the Games.
"As a [former] retailer, I can tell you square footage matters," Green said. "[Alpay's] giving up the space of other things he could be selling."
Green encouraged Prince George residents to consider Canada Winter Games merchandise when holiday shopping this year.
For those who do get in the Games spirit, Games organizers will be holding a weekly giveaway until Feb. 11, 2014. Residents can post a photo of themselves wearing their official Games gear on Instagram with the tag #2015GamesGear.
Each week Games organizers will select a photo and preset the photo taker with a prize.
