Nanaimo Hosts BC Summer Games 2014

Cities chosen for 2012, 2014
BC Summer and BC Winter Games

VICTORIA – The cities of Surrey, Vernon, Nanaimo and Mission have been chosen to host the 2012 and 2014 BC Summer and BC Winter Games, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Mary Polak announced today.

“B.C. already has an international reputation for excellence in sport hosting and the BC Games will give these four communities the opportunity to gain valuable experience in hosting, while showcasing their cities to the rest of the province,” said Polak. “The BC Games bring thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, spectators and visitors to the host community, bringing significant benefits with them.”

Surrey will host the 2012 BC Summer Games; Vernon, the 2012 BC Winter Games; Nanaimo, the 2014 BC Summer Games; and Mission, the 2014 BC Winter Games. The BC Games are the province’s largest multi-disciplinary organized competitions and contribute to community, volunteer, and sport development. Host communities welcome athletes and coaches but also build volunteer capacity, engage local business, and realize a direct economic impact of over $2 million.

“Having a competitive process to host the BC Games is of great benefit to the provincial sport system,” said BC Games Society president and CEO Kelly Mann. “Communities are proud of their facilities and their volunteers, and want both to shine as they host the next generation of elite-level athletes, coaches and officials. The BC Games Society congratulates our winning cities and thanks all those who competed for the right to host in 2012 or 2014.”

“The BC Games are a vital step in the sport development pathway for B.C. athletes striving to represent our province and Canada at national and world competitions,” added Polak. “These games bring together the best young athletes in the province and offer an opportunity for the host communities to see some great sports talent in action.”
B.C. spends $2 million annually to support the BC Summer and BC Winter Games – part of the over $40 million invested annually to encourage British Columbians to be physically active and to support our “performance pathway” for athletes, coaches and the practitioners supporting them.