History of the Games
Established in 1977 by the Provincial Government under the Societies Act, The original mandate of the BC Summer and Winter Games Society was to provide an opportunity for all British Columbians to compete in an organized sports festival that promoted physical fitness, individual achievement, and community pride. The very first BC Summer Games were held in Penticton in 1978 with the first BC Winter Games taking place the following year in Kamloops.
In 1994 the mandate of the organization, now named the BC Games Society, shifted from participation-focused event to become a key part of athlete and sport development in the province.
View results from past BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
Learn more about our Olympic and Paralympic Tradition.
Find the full list of our past award winners.
A Founding Vision
The BC Games were a vision of Premier W. R. Bennett in order to provide “an opportunity to bring all parts of BC together, large and small communities, in the spirit of sport and friendship”.
His vision has provided a substantial foundation and structure on which excellence in sport and community has been and continues to be built.
The W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence is presented at every BC Winter and BC Summer Games, recognizing one athlete whose contributions stand out on and off the field of play.
W.R. Bennett Award recipient
