On paper, Anthony Everett is a logical choice for chair of the 2015 Canada Winter Games. As the current CEO of the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association, he spends his days attracting visitors and expounding on the assets of the entire region. He gets four years to leverage that experience before the Games begin.
"He has a passion for introducing people to the splendors of the region," said Les Waldie, the outgoing co-chair of the bid committee that won Prince George the Games as he handed the leadership over to Everett.
The successful Prince George pitch for the games was largely based on buy-in and benefits for the whole northern area.
"We are going to make you proud," said Everett when he was announced Thursday as the founding leader of the host society. "We feel we want to be bold and take this thing [being a Canada Winter Games host region] to a whole new level."
He made special mention of the importance the region's First Nations will have in the 2015 event.
On hand for the announcement was Premier Gordon Campbell who said the launch of the host society was a major step towards a hosting experience that is, in scope, second in Canada only to the Olympics. The feeling in Prince George, he said, is much like the one that surrounded the B.C. contingent in 2003 when Vancouver was awarded the 2010 Winter Olympics.
"I remember Sept. 17 [the day Prince George was announced as the winner of the 2015 bid]," said Campbell. "We were right by the Olympic torch. There was Prince George and Kamloops and Kelowna... It was reminiscent of being in Prague with Canada, Austria and Korea, and I remember how it felt when it was announced that we had won. When that announcement [of Prince George] was made, Mayor Dan Rogers set the world high jump record and [MLA] Shirley Bond did a pirouette that would make any figure skater proud."
The benefits of these games are worth the excitement, he said. The benefits to sport are clear and deep, but there are social, cultural and economic benefits as well. The money that is expected to pour into the area as a result of these Games is estimated at anywhere from $70 million to $90 million, far more than the cost of hosting them, and that is without modern innovations and creative thinking that could swell that amount. Also, when the Games are over, new and renovated facilities will be in place, higher certifications of local coaches and officials, more experience for private-sector businesses, and a whole lot of free advertising for the area will be part of the lasting legacy.
But, said Campbell, all of that comes from hard work over the next four years. He cautioned that, "There will be times when your mayor will say 'I can't believe we are doing this.' There will be times when your MLAs will say 'don't ask us for any more.' Well I am telling you, you ask for as much as you need."
The crowd roared with laughter. One of those with the biggest smile was athlete Avril Harris, 19, on hand at the ceremony with his Team BC jersey on. Harris, whom Everett singled out for applause, is the captain of the provincial wheelchair basketball team about to depart for Halifax to compete at the 2011 Canada Winter Games. He told The Citizen that his single mightiest goal was to still be wearing the 'C' for the opening tip-off four years from now in front of hometown family and friends.
"I am still excited about going to Halifax, but it will be amazing that something this big will be in my home town," he said. "It will be an amazing experience. I want to be there for that, leading Team BC when it happens in Prince George."
Thursday was not just a day for announcing Everett as the society chair. Several members of the host society were named. These volunteers will set the early framework for the Games team but, said Everett, "there will be many more opportunities for people. There is room for everyone."
The others named as founding members of the society were:
Brett Robinson, Blair Mayes, Jane Newman, Jim Martin, Finlay Sinclair, Tracy Calogheros, Bryan Mix, Derek Bates, Geoff Paynton and Josh Seymour. Representatives from the federal and provincial governments and the Canada Games Council will also be added. Hiring a CEO will also be happening in short order.
