THUNDER BAY – The countdown to the Special Olympic Canada Winter Games is on. Today, in Thunder Bay the sports venues and a starting list of sponsors were announced.
It is now less than one year from the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020, and organizers, athletes and volunteers announced the sports venues which will play host to the competitions next year.
The eight sports and their respective venues are as follows:
- Alpine skiing – Loch Lomond
- Five-pin bowling – Galaxy Lanes
- Cross country skiing – Kamview Nordic Centre
- Curling – Fort William Curling Club
- Figure skating – Thunder Bay Tournament Centre
- Floor hockey – Lakehead University, C. J. Sanders Fieldhouse
- Snowshoeing – Chapples Golf Course
- Speed skating – Delaney Arena
“We are grateful that these venue partners quickly stepped up to host our eight official sports competitions,” said Barry Streib, Chair of the Games Organizing Committee. “It is an important opportunity to celebrate our local facilities and in recognition o their commitments, each venue will soon sport a ‘Home of The Games’ sign.”
Tom Warden, Lakehead University’s Athletics Director, and representative for the C. J. Sanders Fieldhouse was on hand to share Lakehead’s reasons for becoming involved. ”We are extremely pleased to be involved with Special Olympics,” he said. “Lakehead University is happy to be a small part of this amazing initiative.”
Today’s announcement also included recognition for the first five Sport Sponsors to each commit $5,000 in support of The Games:
- Keating Insulation Inc. – Speed Skating
- Lennox/Enercare – Figure Skating
- Robert’s Plumbing and Sheet Metal Co. – Snowshoeing
- Taranis Contracting Group – Alpine Skiing
- TBT Engineering Consultant Group – Curling
“We appreciate the leadership of each of these five organizations in being the first to contribute as Sport Sponsors,” said Julie Tilbury, Vice-Chair of the Games Organizing Committee. “There are still opportunities to sponsor our remaining sports and we invite interested organizations to reach out. As we have noted previously, it will take the whole of our community to make this national event a success and we know our City with the Big Heart will not disappoint.”
TBT Engineering Consultant Group’s CEO Liana Frenette explained why they are proud to be one of the first Sport Sponsors to confirm their support. “This event is a great way to showcase Thunder Bay and region to the rest of Canada. Because of that and because of our ongoing commitment to our community, we knew we wanted to be involved in supporting this effort. The sports sponsorship is a unique way for us to contribute. We are proud to be a part of the Games and look forward to cheering on the athletes competing in curling and all sports.”
During the months leading up to the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Thunder Bay 2020, venues will be fine-tuning their facilities to prepare for the over 1,200 Special Olympics athletes expected to compete in February. For more information about The Games and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.specialolympics2020.com.
