From left, GOC Vice-Chair J.P. Levesque, GOC Games Manager Louisa Costanzo, Goldcorp’s Peter Gula, GOC Chair Barry Streib, Goldcorp’s Aileen Pajunen, GOC Member Paul Burke and GOC Vice-Chair Julie Tilbury.
THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – The countdown to the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games officially began today, with the Thunder Bay Games Organizing Committee (GOC) announcing Goldcorp as the Games presenting Sponsor.
Volunteers and officials gathered to celebrate Goldcorp’s commitment to The Games. The GOC also shared that “Pure Heart” will serve as the inspiration and theme for the 2020 Games. Other announcements included some early event sponsors, the appointment of the official Games Manager and the introduction of the GOC Executive.
“We are very excited to start engaging our community more formally in our preparations for the 2020 Games. We are proud to celebrate the official start of our countdown by announcing Goldcorp as our presenting sponsor,” said Barry Streib, Chair for the GOC. “Goldcorp is the first to demonstrate our theme in action and we are grateful for their significant support. We know that like Goldcorp, the community of Thunder Bay is pure of heart and certainly our Special Olympics athletes are as well, so we couldn’t think of a more fitting theme for the Games.”
Goldcorp Musselwhite Mine General Manager Peter Gula noted that it was an easy decision to commit to the Games. “The entire Goldcorp team is very much looking forward to being a part of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games. This undertaking is not just an event, but will truly be an amazing experience for all of the Special Olympics athletes, their families, friends, our employees and our community. We are committed to working together with organizers to welcome everyone to Thunder Bay and ensure these Games are a great success.”
The celebration also served to publically announce the appointment of Louisa Costanzo as the new Games Manager. An experienced venue and event manager, Costanzo previously held the position of Senior Manager, Patron Services and Major Corporate Events at the Sony Centre for Performing Arts in Toronto. She has worked on a number of high profile events including the Canadian Screen Awards and Just for Laughs’ Toronto comedy festival (JFL42).
As the Thunder Bay 2020 Games Manager, Costanzo is responsible for the overall operation of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, providing leadership to all GOC divisions, facilitating organizational development and planning, managing financial resources and supporting governance processes between the various stakeholders.
“I am thrilled to welcome Goldcorp as the presenting sponsor and to be working with this incredible team to create a successful and memorable Special Olympics Canada Winter Games experience,” said Costanzo. “I intend to bring great energy and spirit to my role to demonstrate pure commitment and I hope to motivate others to do the same.”
Special Olympics Canada representatives also shared their excitement to see planning for the Games well underway. “After successfully winning the bid to host the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in 2020 it was clear to us at Special Olympics Canada that Thunder Bay has an overwhelming amount of support from the community,” said Blair McIntosh, VP Sport. “It’s wonderful to now see local and regional business leaders, like Goldcorp, demonstrating that same level of commitment to help build community and support athletes in realizing their dreams through the transformative power of sports.”
