2010 ARCTIC WINTER GAMES FEATURE - Volunteer Update

After the buzz created last week when the Olympic Torch Relay passed through our region on its way to Vancouver, the thoughts of many have drifted to our OWN International Celebration of Sport and Culture being held March 6-13, 2010 right here in Grande Prairie!

2,500 star volunteers will help to showcase our community to the world, and with just four months left to go organizers have 926 registered.

Director of Volunteers, Linda Craik says although it seems like there’s still lots of time – in reality there’s not.

“Our registration process is really sophisticated. There are a few steps, but it allows us to ensure that volunteers are assigned to divisions and tasks that they enjoy, while also ensuring everyone – young, old, participants, volunteers, and spectators – are kept safe”.

All volunteers are required to complete an RCMP clearance allowing them to work with vulnerable sectors like children and seniors. Craik says there is no cost to the volunteer, but because of the processing time required it’s highly recommended that ALL volunteers register by January 1, 2010 in order to ensure their clearance is received in time for the Games.

Even once the accreditation process is complete she says the work is far from over, with scheduling and training to follow. In addition to any training required for their specific tasks, ALL Arctic Winter Games volunteers will receive FREE customer service training by the Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association.

“In addition to being a great opportunity for athletic competition, cultural exchange and social interaction, the AHLA training provided to our volunteers provides a whole new element of personal & professional development.” Craik says it’s been a great incentive for employers to encourage their employees to get involved.

REGISTER TODAY!

Online at www.awg2010.org:
Step 1 – Complete the Registration Form - indicate your interests & availability, and submit online
Step 2 – Download, Print & Complete the RCMP Clearance Form
Step 3 – Upload a Photo for your accreditation badge
Step 4 – Bring the completed RCMP Clearance Form to the Games Office with two pieces of government issued ID (one piece must have a photo, both must have your birthdate)

Or, Visit the Games Office in Ernie’s Sports Plaza, the Games Crew will walk you through the process.

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

2010 Arctic Winter Games Ticket Sale Launch

After almost two years of preparations, residents and visitors will soon be able to solidify their plans to attend the 2010 Arctic Winter Games - but organizers say they’ll have to move fast!

Tickets for this international celebration of sport and culture go on sale Monday morning at 10:00am at the Crystal Centre Box Office.

With a limited number of tickets available, Ticket Chair Heidi Yang says Opening & Closing Ceremonies and the two Cultural Galas are expected to sell out shortly after the launch. Yang strongly recommends that people purchase these tickets quickly, as seat selection will be at a premium.

With an event of this magnitude, Yang says there’s no such thing as a small task. This theory was proven correct through the many hours spent reviewing schedules, VIP lists and seating capacities in preparation for the ticket sale launch.

“The sport schedules alone are intense, with seven days of competition in 21 sports,” says Yang. “When you add to that some of the unique cultural elements of the Games, like Opening & Closing Ceremonies, and two spectacular cultural galas, the event becomes much more than your typical set of Games.”

Yang says ticket options will allow spectators to customize their Games experience, with individual tickets sold for ceremonies and cultural galas. Once sport schedules are finalized, she says Sports Super Passes, Day Passes and tickets for Medal Rounds will be available to those intent on catching all the athletic elements of these unique circumpolar games.

Grande Prairie is the Southern-most city ever to host the Arctic Winter Games - which will welcome 2,000 athletes and cultural participants, as well as tourists, friends, and families from as far away as Greenland and Russia.

The Crystal Centre Box Office is the exclusive seller of 2010 Arctic Winter Games tickets, with purchases available in person, online, or by phone.

Ticket Sale Launch

Monday, November 2, 2009

Crystal Centre Box Office

10:00 am

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Sponsorship highlights ATCO’s commitment to the North

“With its long history in the North, we are thrilled to have ATCO as an official sponsor and supplier,” said Debbie Reid, President, 2010 Arctic Winter Games. “The commitment and skills of ATCO and its volunteers will help us stage exceptional events and showcase the North to the rest of the World.”

ATCO will construct the celebration cauldron (flame) for the games and sponsor the medal presentations. The company will also supply temporary modular units to be used in the athlete village and at the sport venues. In addition, ATCO staff will play an integral role as volunteers.

“We are pleased to once again support Northern athletes, artists and performers as they participate in this great sporting and cultural event,” said Nancy Southern, President & Chief Executive Officer, ATCO Group. “It allows the people of ATCO - who live and work in the North - an opportunity to assist Northern youth in their quest for excellence.”

ATCO has a history of sponsoring northern sporting events. The company was an official sponsor of the 2008 Arctic Winter Games in Yellowknife, the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse and the 2004 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray. “

At ATCO we believe in supporting the many communities we serve,” said Ms. Southern.

ATCO Electric has been delivering electricity to Grande Prairie residents and businesses since 1928. ATCO Gas began providing gas distribution service to the town in 1972, while ATCO Structures & Logistics (ASL), known world-wide for its modular structures and logistics support, has been working in partnership with Northerners for decades - from Goose Bay to Alaska.

With more than 7,700 employees and $9.8 billion in assets, ATCO Group delivers service excellence and innovative business solutions worldwide with leading companies engaged in Utilities (pipelines, natural gas and electricity transmission and distribution), Energy (power generation and midstream services), Structures & Logistics (manufacturing, logistics and noise abatement) and Technologies (business systems solutions).

CALGARY, Alberta – The ATCO Group of Companies is pleased to announce its participation in the 2010 Arctic Winter Games to be held in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The ATCO Group will be providing people, products and services to the event that will see nearly 2,000 athletes and cultural participants competing and showcasing their talents from Arctic nations around the world.

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Host Society Welcomes Chefs de Mission for Final Pre-Games Visit

The Grande Prairie 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society reaches another milestone this week, with the arrival of the Chefs de Mission for their final pre-Games visit to our region.

Representatives from the nine circumpolar regions that will participate in the Games arrive in Grande Prairie starting today.

Acting as liaisons between Games organizers and the athletes & cultural participants of their contingent, the 15 Chefs de Mission and Assistant Chefs de Mission will visit many of the venues which will host Games events.

During this final visit, particular attention will be paid to the care and comfort of participants. This means a number of venue tours, as well as a review of the plans for transportation, food services, health, and safety of over 2,000 participants during the Games.

The visit will include two full days of meetings as well as opportunities for the Chefs to meet many of the volunteer Directors, Assistant Directors and Chairs of the Host Society, who are responsible for much of the planning of these volunteer-driven Games.

The Chefs de Mission visited Grande Prairie at this time last year, and President Debbie Reid says this visit is our opportunity to show them the progress that’s been made in what felt like a very short year.

“Their last visit was really our chance to show them our plans, to outline the many things we hoped to put in place to make these Games a success. This visit is our time to shine, to show them how those plans have been implemented.” She says this visit will display our readiness to play host to the circumpolar North.

Media Interviews Available
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Montrose Cultural Centre, 11:45 am

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Games of the North

Family Volunteer Opportunities emphasized through National Family Week

The Grande Prairie 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society is celebrating National Family Week October 4-10, by encouraging FAMILY participation in this international celebration of sport and culture!

These youth-focused Games maintain their relevance with young people by reaching beyond the over 2,000 Northern participants and encouraging volunteerism with youth of the same age.

Volunteer opportunities are available for those as young as 12, with some tasks designated as Youth Positions.

At a time like National Family Week the focus of many parents shifts towards activities that involve and engage the whole family – an event like the 2010 Arctic Winter Games is a FANTASTIC opportunity to do just that!

Remember – kids are out of school the week of the Games, making it even easier for families to spend time together while supporting this unique international event.

There are also many opportunities for family involvement prior to the Games; with promotional displays, volunteer rallies, and the upcoming Santa Claus parade.

One of the things we notice at events like these is that ‘Games’ activities are quickly becoming ‘family’ activities, with whole families coming out to carry flags along a parade route, or mom staffing a promotional display for an afternoon while the kids hand out tattoos, and dad hangs out with Mascot Aluk for the day.

Families get a chance to spend some time together, work towards a common goal, and be a part of some exciting community events!

For more information, or to register YOUR FAMILY as Games volunteers:

- Phone 780-538-4777

- Visit the Games Office in Ernie’s Sports Plaza (Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm)

- Register Online

- Email the Volunteer Coordinator

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Games Venue Hosts Television Shoot

2010 Arctic Winter Games Sports Ambassador Ryan Blais welcomed a familiar face to his hometown this week.

Blais' Canadian National Freestyle Teammate Warren Shouldice was in Grande Prairie this week, filming a segment for Bravo! Canada. The series will feature sport footage put to music, with Shouldice representing Freestyle Skiing.

The 2010 Games in Grande Prairie will be the first Arctic Winter Games to feature Freestyle Skiing. Competition will take place at Nitehawk Recreation Area; Sports Ambassador Ryan Blais' hometown hill, and home to the Water Ramp which was used to shoot Shouldice's television segment.

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx