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2019 CANADA WINTER GAMES NAMED STC CANADIAN SPORT EVENT OF THE YEAR

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From the Canada Games Council

The 2019 Canada Winter Games have won the 2020 Sport Tourism Canada (STC) Canadian Sport Event of the Year Award with an event budget greater than $1 million.

The presentation of the 2020 PRESTIGE awards, postponed from last year, were hosted virtually as a gala on-line production. The presentation was hosted by Olympian, World Cup medallist and CBC Broadcaster Kelly VanderBeek.

The STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year Award recognizes the overall success of an outstanding single-sport, multi-sport or collegiate event held in Canada in 2019. The criteria states that the event rights holder is a Canadian governing body/entity and that a Canadian community bid against other Canadian communities and/or was awarded the right to host the event.

Thank you from 2019 Games CEO Scott Robinson, Mayor of Red Deer Tara Veer, and 2019 Games Chair Lyn Radford

2019 Canada Winter Games Facts

-The 2019 Canada Winter Games took place from February 15 – March 3, 2019 in Red Deer, Alberta

-The Games were organized by the 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society led by Chair Lyn Radford

-The Games featured 19 sports and 150 events alongside a major arts and cultural festival

-Red Deer welcomed over 3,600 athletes, managers and coaches, 4,600 volunteers, and more than 26,000 visitors throughout two weeks of competition

-The Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for Canadian amateur athletes, and were the largest event that Red Deer has ever hosted

-Sport infrastructure legacy generated from the Games includes the construction of the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre which is a multi-purpose venue built specifically for the 2019 Games that includes an ice rink, gymnasium, basketball court, running and sprint tracks, and squash courts

-The Games raised over $12M in sponsor and donor fundraising, resulting in the most successful sponsorship program in Games history

-Financial legacy from the Games includes generating a total net economic activity (GDP) of $44.7M for Red Deer and $60.6M for the Province of Alberta

-The Host Society donated over $500,000 in sport equipment and assets post-Games to over 40 local and provincial sport organizations and not-for-profits

Quotes

“The 2019 Canada Winter Games were a life changing experience for all participants. It was a time for dreams to become reality and for community to come together to deliver one of the elite hosting events in 52 years of history of Canada Games. The Canada Games framework gave Red Deer and Alberta an opportunity to build legacy, support sport development and deliver life long friendships to all. We thank Sport Canada, Government of Alberta, City of Red Deer, Canada Games Council,  volunteers, staff, sponsors and partners for this fabulous journey. Thank you to the sponsor, Québec City Business Destination, of this event category of the STA Prestige awards. Your sponsorship allows for all of Canada to see the wonderful work done in our Sport Tourism industry. Merci beaucoup!”

Lyn Radford, Chair, 2019 Canada Winter Games Host Society

“The 2019 Canada Winter Games were an incredible event that showcased our nation’s top amateur athletes and left behind a legacy of infrastructure, sustainability, and community pride in Red Deer. The City of Red Deer, Host Society staff, and the thousands of volunteers should be proud of what they accomplished and the 2019 Games are truly deserving of this award and recognition.”

Evan Johnston, Chair, Canada Games Council

“Thank you to Sport Tourism Canada for recognizing the 2019 Canada Winter Games, with the honour of this recognition. This award is a tribute to the incredibly hard work accomplished by our local Host Society, our generous partners and the more than 5,000 incredible community volunteers who made this opportunity possible. To the people of Red Deer, be incredibly proud of what you accomplished. We are here because you courageously said yes. We are here because you said we will find a way. We are here because you said we’ll do it together. Thank you, Canada Games, for the opportunity to welcome our fellow Canadians to our community for this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Tara Veer, Mayor of Red Deer

Enjoy this wonderful look back at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, hosted by Ron MacLean

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Blackfalds

New Catholic Elementary School for Blackfalds

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News release from Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

RDCRS receives full construction funding for new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds

On Monday, March 4, Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) received full construction funding from the Government of Alberta to construct a new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds.

“The full construction funding for the new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the vibrant growing community of Blackfalds marks a significant milestone in our government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education infrastructure for our communities. This investment illustrates our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have access to modern, innovative learning environments,” stated MLA for Red Deer North and Minister of Health Adriana LaGrange.

RDCRS appreciates the construction funding provided by the Government of Alberta. Over the past several years, Blackfalds has seen tremendous growth. RDCRS’ current Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 school located in Blackfalds, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School, has grown by 64% since its establishment in 2017.

“We are very pleased to receive full construction funding for a new Catholic elementary school in Blackfalds. The funding will allow the division an opportunity to build a much needed new school and meet the learning needs of our Blackfalds students,” said Board Chair Murray Hollman at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.

The schematic design for the new school has progressed smoothly since RDCRS received design funding from the Government of Alberta in March 2023. The plans look excellent and work is ongoing between Alberta Infrastructure and the Town of Blackfalds to ensure the steps to secure the land in the new development are completed. The land needs to be ready for construction according to the timelines and criteria established in the P3 project.

“We are pleased that the progress achieved thus far has demonstrated the collaborative efforts necessary to warrant this full funding announcement, “ added Board Chair Hollman.

The new school is expected to be ready for occupancy in September 2027.

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,650 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 850 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.

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Blackfalds

Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club announces finalized agreement to join the BC Hockey League effective immediately

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News release from the Blackfalds Bulldogs

The Blackfalds Bulldogs have announced a finalized franchise agreement with the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and are official members of the league, effective immediately. 

Prior to this agreement, the Blackfalds Bulldogs had agreed to terms on a framework of what joining the BCHL would look like. 

Along with the Blackfalds Bulldogs, the Brooks Bandits, Okotoks Oilers, Sherwood Park Crusaders and Spruce Grove Saints will also join the BCHL starting this season. 

“The Blackfalds Bulldogs are thrilled to express our excitement to be joining the BCHL. The BCHL’s dedication and efforts in expediting this process in light of the AJHL decisions have not gone unnoticed and we are sincerely grateful for the commitment they have shown to ensure all our players have the opportunity to complete this season with competitive hockey. This swift transition in light of the AJHL’s decisions is a testament to the BCHL’s professionalism and passion for the sport. We eagerly anticipate the journey ahead and look forward to contributing our Bulldog Best to the vibrant hockey community that the BCHL represents,” said Doug Quinn, Owner of the Blackfalds Bulldogs Jr A Hockey Club.  

“We are pleased to officially welcome these five franchises into the fold as members of our league,” said Graham Fraser, Chairman of the BCHL Board of Governors. “All five are strong organizations from great communities and we look forward to the immediate boost they will give our league.” 

Due to the Alberta Junior Hockey League cancelling league games for the 2023-24 regular season, the five teams will engage in competition with each other as BCHL teams for the remainder of the season and will eventually crown an Alberta champion. Following the conclusion of the BCHL Playoffs, there will be an opportunity for the champion from Alberta to meet the champion from B.C. in a year-end competition. 

“With the unfortunate situation the Alberta teams have faced in recent weeks with having games cancelled in their previous league, it was imperative to us to get these players back on the ice in meaningful competition,” said BCHL Commissioner Steven Cocker. “This five-team schedule and postseason will give these athletes the chance to get in a full set of games for the remainder of the year, which is the most important thing to us.” 

The schedule for the Alberta teams starts tomorrow and can be viewed here.

Details for the post-season competition will be announced at a later date. 

For a list of Frequently Asked Questions about this decision, visit our FAQ page here.

About the BCHL: 

Sending more players on to Division I college hockey every season than any other hockey league in Canada, the BCHL has established itself as a national leader in the development of young student athletes. Considering approximately a third of today’s NHL is made up of NCAA alumni, the BCHL has become a breeding ground for some the sport’s most elite and successful players. In 2022-23 alone, there were a league-record 190 players in the league with NCAA Division I scholarships. The BCHL is also a leader in player safety, with a full-time Department of Player Safety, the toughest rules on fighting in North American junior hockey, as well as a league-wide independent Safe Sport Officer and an individual Athlete Advocate assigned to all 17 teams.  

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