2019 Canada Winter Games
The role of the College in the 2019 Canada Winter Games
RDC is Ready for the Games
In just eight days, the 2019 Canada Winter Games will begin, and the feeling of anticipation and excitement is becoming palpable across our community and at Red Deer College.
It’s been four-and-a-half years since Red Deer first learned we would get the Games – years that now seem to have gone by in an instant – but years that were filled with planning and preparation. After so much work by so many people, this community is ready. And Red Deer College is ready.
As a competition venue, RDC will be showcased on the national stage when we host five competition events in our new Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre/Centre des Jeux du Canada Gary W. Harris. In week one of the Games, we will host Wheelchair Basketball and Speed Skating – Short Track. In week two, there will be Badminton, Figure Skating and Squash.
I had an opportunity to see competitions in these sports earlier this fall, when RDC hosted Pre- Games events leading up to the Winter Games. What I saw was incredibly talented young athletes who were at the top of their sport. Coaches, parents and spectators were using our new Centre – many for the first time – and the feedback they gave was that it was an incredible facility, and they couldn’t wait to come back for the Games. These Pre-Games events were exciting and positive, and they were just a sample of what’s to come. I cannot wait to see all of the activities that will take place and the people who will be here from across our nation during the Games.
Beyond competitions at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, RDC will have another major role during the Games when we host all 3,600 competitors at the Athletes’ Village. Each week of the Games, there will be about 1,800 athletes living on our main campus. They will eat, sleep and live at Red Deer College, including in our new Residence, which will be complete and ready for athletes when they arrive.
Outside of the competitions and the training that happens during the Games, there’s a mini community formed when people from across the country come together and live in the same place. This community will have its home in the Athlete’s Village at RDC, and we’re very pleased to host such an important part of the Games. It is only possible because of extensive work and planning on part of our leadership team, the Games Host Society, our Residence staff, Olds College and our students – thank you for all of your expertise, input and support in making this happen.
And thank you to all of the RDC staff, faculty and students for the work that you’ve done leading up to the Games and for the contributions you will make during this major event. In my conversations with people from across the College, I know that there are many passionate, dedicated people who have already and will continue to volunteer their time to be part of the Games – at RDC and in other roles throughout the community.
An event of this magnitude won’t likely happen again in our region for a generation or more. I encourage everyone to get involved, in whatever way works best for you. Whether it’s volunteering, watching events or enjoying the arts and cultural activities happening throughout the city, please take every opportunity to enjoy all the Games have to offer.
I look forward to seeing you at Red Deer College and throughout the community during the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Joel Ward is President & CEO of Red Deer College.
2019 Canada Winter Games
Red Deer’s Lyn Radford joins new Chair Catriona Le May Doan on Canada Games Council
News release from the Canada Games Council
Hall of Fame Athlete Elected Chair of Canada Games Council Board of Directors
The Canada Games Council (CGC) is thrilled to announce the election of Canadian sport legend Catriona Le May Doan as Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. Joining Le May Doan in officer positions are Vice-Chair Sean O’Donnell, Treasurer Sheri Somerville and Secretary Lyn Radford.
“I am very excited and honoured to be taking on the role of Chair of the Canada Games Council,” said Le May Doan. “I have been a part of the Canada Games Movement for almost 42 years. The Canada Games were my first multi-sport Games and had a huge impact on my career and I continue to believe in and witness the power of the Canada Games in building sport in our country, but also strengthening our communities.”
A three-time Olympic medallist and icon in Canadian speed skating, Le May Doan is a true champion on and off the field of play. She is a tireless ambassador for the transformational power of sport and a distinguished member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canada Games Hall of Honour.
A Canada Games alum in both speed skating and athletics for Team Saskatchewan, Le May Doan is currently the President and CEO of Sport Calgary. She recently served as Team Canada’s Chef de Mission at the Olympic Winter Games in 2022.
A longtime CGC board member, Le May Doan takes over the reins from outgoing Chair Evan Johnston, who is stepping down after 10 years on the board as he takes on the new role as President and CEO of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company in January.
“On behalf of the entire Canada Games family, I’d like to thank Evan for his decade of volunteer service to the Canada Games Movement and his invaluable guidance and mentorship to our CGC Board and staff as Chair of the Canada Games Council,” said Kelly-Ann Paul, CGC President and CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome Catriona at the helm and know her strategic leadership will continue to solidify the foundation of our organization so that the Canada Games strengthen the fabric of our nation from coast to coast to coast.”
“I hope to continue the great work that Evan has done and I thank him for his leadership,” said Le May Doan. “I am looking forward to working with the incredible CGC team and our network of partners for the upcoming Games in St. John’s next summer, and then in Quebec City in 2027, where we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Games. Together, we will continue to spark greatness in Canadians through the Canada Games.”
Those filling the remaining officer positions have all been on the CGC Board since 2022.
O’Donnell brings extensive executive experience in the federal public service and the Canadian sport system to the Vice-Chair role. Somerville is a business executive, entrepreneur, and award-winning PR consultant, all of which will serve her well as Treasurer. Radford brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in revenue generation for non-profit and sport organizations, as well as a Host Society leadership lens, to the role of Secretary.
The next Canada Summer Games take place from August 8-25, 2025 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, while the next Canada Winter Games will unfold in Quebec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027.
About the Canada Games Council
The Canada Games Council, a private, non-profit organization, is the governing body for the Canada Games. Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for up and coming Canadian athletes. The Games have been hosted in every province at least twice since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system, in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of local Host Societies and the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments.
2019 Canada Winter Games
Gift that keeps giving: 35 Alberta non-profits funded through the 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund
From the Canada Games Council
LEGACIES OF THE 2019 CANADA WINTER GAMES CONTINUE TO GROW
Legacy Fund Society awards legacy funds to not-for-profits across Alberta
The 2019 Canada Winter Games Legacy Fund Society has awarded the financial legacy from the 2019 Games to not-for-profit sport and community organizations across Alberta.
“The Legacy Fund Society is pleased to announce that we have awarded $655,000 in grants to 35 not-for-profit sport and community organizations across Alberta,” said Guy Pelletier, Legacy Fund Society Chair. “The grants support a wide variety of projects across the province. These organizations and their respective projects build on the numerous legacies of the 2019 Games.”
Through a grant application process in early 2021, the Legacy Fund Society received and reviewed funding requests for 200 projects from nearly 150 organizations at a value of over $7.1 million.
“The response to our call for applications was phenomenal. There was no shortage of meaningful and innovative projects,” said Pelletier.
“The 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer were truly transformative and continue to foster meaningful legacies across Alberta,” said Kelly-Ann Paul, Senior Vice-President of Host Relations at the Canada Games Council. “These legacy grants will enrich and uplift organizations and communities as we strive to strengthen the fabric of Canada through the power of sport.”
Requests for funding were reviewed and evaluated based on their alignment with the values of the 2019 Games and distributed in four categories: athlete and coach or official development; infrastructure or equipment development or acquisition; sport development capacity building; and non-sport or discretionary projects.
The following is a listing of the organizations who were awarded funding:
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