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Board of Directors in place for Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games

ROSSLAND, January 22, 2025 — The Board of Directors for the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games, scheduled to take place from February 25 to March 1, 2026, has been finalized. A nominating committee, led by the Mayors of the City of Rossland and the City of Trail, guided the selection process.

The Games will be led by President Brian Stefani and Vice-President Barb Stanley, supported by 14 additional community leaders, each taking responsibility for specific portfolios. The Board will be supported throughout the planning process by the BC Games Society.

The cities of Trail and Rossland and surrounding areas will welcome as many as 1,200 athletes and 600 coaches and officials, competing in 15 sports. The Games will kick off with an Opening Ceremony on Thursday, February 26, 2026 followed by four thrilling days of competition, culminating on March 1. Venues for sport competitions and special events will be announced as details are finalized. The complete Sport Package for the Games can be found here.

The BC Winter Games showcase the best young developing athletes in the province, supported by certified coaches and officials. With over 1,600 volunteers required to stage the Games, this event is expected to infuse as much as $1.6 million into the local economy. Registration for general volunteers will open in the fall of 2026.

A complete list of the Board of Directors can be found here.

Quotes:

“Trail is incredibly excited to co-host the 2026 BC Winter Games”, said Trail Mayor Colleen Jones. “This is an opportunity to celebrate our region’s passion for sport, showcase our breathtaking mountain environment, and welcome thousands of athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers to our world-class facilities.”

“Rossland is proud to co-host the 2026 BC Winter Games,” said Rossland Mayor Andy Morel. “This event not only will bring together the province’s top youth athletes, but also provide a platform to showcase our vibrant communities and celebrate the spirit of sport.”

“Barb and I are honoured to lead this talented group of Directors, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their portfolios,” said Games President Brian Stefani. “The Directors are now in the recruitment phase as they look to fill 80 Chair positions with volunteers who will lead specific Games planning areas. Together, we’re excited to begin this journey and deliver an exceptional event.”

“Trail and Rossland have a remarkable legacy of hosting sporting events and fostering volunteerism,” said BC Games Society President and CEO, Alison Noble. “Games participants can expect exceptional support from experienced volunteers and the opportunity to compete in world-class facilities. The entire BC sport community is looking forward to February 2026 with great excitement.”

For more information contact:

Andras Lukacs
Director of Marketing
Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games
andras@bcwintergames.ca

David Conlin
Marketing and Communications Manager
BC Games Society
davidc@bcgames.org

Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Legacy Fund Recipients Announced

Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Society is awarding approximately $200,000 in legacy funds to three initiatives that will benefit the community for years to come.

Fifty per cent of the funds will go to Quesnel Community Foundation to create an annual fund to be awarded to a sport team or club for a capital project or maintenance of facilities, while 25 per cent will create another fund with Quesnel Community Foundation for two annual scholarships for student athletes from School District 28. Homeschooled athletes will also be eligible if they live within the district. The final 25 per cent will be given to Lhtako Dene Nation as seed funding for trail network improvements on reserve lands.

Legacy funds come from the generosity of the business community in supporting the Games with cash and in-kind contributions, merchandise sales, and the sound financial management and creative low-cost problem solving of the Board of Directors and key volunteers that led the Games.

The funding allocation was announced at a Legacy Celebration held at Lhtako Dene Longhouse on November 29. Invited guests included key volunteers from the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games, as well as elected officials from the Lhtako Dene Nation, City of Quesnel, and Cariboo Regional District, and representatives from the BC Games Society. The decision was made by a small committee made up of volunteers from the Games.

“We are blown away by the support we received from the community for these Games,” said Brenda Beatty, Vice, President, Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games Society.. “Whether donating funds, providing in-kind support, or volunteering their time, the community came together to make the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games a success and have a lasting positive impact. These legacy projects will benefit the broader community for years to come.”

Prior to the Games, the region saw other investments through the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games operating budget and the BC Games Society’s Powering Potential Fund, which supported projects including improvements to the biathlon range at Hallis Lake, coach education for the Quesnel Technics Gymnastics Club, new mats for Judo, the development of a slopestyle course at Troll Mountain, and start-up support for a local Freestyle Ski Club. Complete details of the Powering Potential Fund projects for the 2024 BC Winter Games are available here. More information about the Powering Potential Fund can be found on staging.bcgames.org/.

“While the BC Winter Games took place over five wonderful days in Quesnel and surrounding areas, the benefits to the community are long lasting,” said Alison Noble, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “Over fourteen hundred volunteers came together to make the Games happen, many of whom were left with new skills, experiences, or connections in the community. In addition, sport and other community facilities received upgrades in order to stage the Games. Now, the Legacy Fund will continue to support events and individuals for many years to come.

“Congratulations to the Board of Directors for the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games for their extraordinary work to make this vision a reality.”

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Media Contacts:

Amy Reid
Public Relations Chair
Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games
amyjanereid@gmail.com

David Conlin
Marketing and Communications Manager
BC Games Society
davidc@bcgames.org

B.C. sport sector comes together for BC Games Sport Partner Meeting, inaugural Excellence Awards

Representatives from 34 B.C. sport organizations came together on October 22 for a day of discussion and recognition at the BC Games Sport Partner Meeting in Vancouver.

Hosted every two years by the BC Games Society, the meeting serves as an opportunity to update and engage sport partners about leveraging the BC Winter and BC Summer Games for sport development. The province’s sport sector was well-represented, with 47 representatives attending on behalf of Provincial, Disability, and Multi-Sport Organizations.

“We were thrilled to have strong turnout and engagement at this year’s meeting,” said Alison Noble, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “It was a great opportunity to engage our partners and generate discussions and ideas that will help us ensure the BC Winter and BC Summer Games remain an important part of B.C.’s sport development pathway.”

The meeting also featured the presentation of the BC Games Sport Partner Excellence Awards, a new initiative intended to recognize outstanding contributions by a sport partner from both the BC Winter and BC Summer Games. BC Games Society Board Member Sue Griffin presented BC Archery and Baseball BC with the inaugural awards, which come with a financial contribution of $2,500 to help support sport programming goals at future Games.


BC Archery and Baseball BC are presented with their BC Games Sport Partner Excellence Awards.


BC Archery has demonstrated the ability to leverage the BC Winter Games through numerous avenues, including participating in the Coach Mentorship Program, facilitating Indigenous participation initiatives, maintaining strong province-wide participation with representation from all eight zones, and bringing a strong slate of coaches who are trained appropriately.  

Baseball BC has shown excellent partnership in building a strong program at the BC Summer Games, including adopting a quality zone selection process to ensure a high level of competition, using the Games as an opportunity to mentor young officials, and bringing quality coaches who are willing and able to provide mentorship to coaches with less experience.

“BC Archery and Baseball BC have routinely gone above and beyond to leverage the Games and create exceptional experiences for their athletes, coaches, and officials,” said Noble. “Our sport partners work hard to make the BC Games a unique experience for participants, so we’re excited to have one more way to celebrate outstanding contributions.”

The next BC Games are set to take place in 2026, with the BC Winter Games heading to Trail-Rossland and the BC Summer Games taking place in Kelowna. Learn more at staging.bcgames.org/.

About the BC Games Society

Established in 1977 by the B.C. Government under the Societies Act, the BC Games Society (the Society) oversees the BC Winter Games and BC Summer Games. The Society also supports the participation of Team BC, the provincial team competing at Canada Games, in national multi-sport Games. Each of these Games provide opportunities for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition. The BC Games also provide important economic and tourism benefits, allowing hosts to profile their communities and benefit from an economic impact in the range of $1.6 million to $2 million. The legacies of the BC Winter and BC Summer Games allow for capacity building in communities across the province resulting in a stronger British Columbia.

Former President and CEO Mann headlines Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame inductees with BC Games Society ties

VICTORIA – Former BC Games Society President and CEO Kelly Mann (Builder), who led the organization from 1999 to 2018, was officially inducted to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night alongside three other individuals with a connection to the organization.

A total of four athletes, three builders, and a SID Thomas Media Award winner were inducted at the in-person event hosted at the Delta Ocean Pointe ballroom in Victoria. Joining Mann as inductees with a BC Games Society connection were President of the Victoria 2000 BC Summer Games Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Ashton (Builder), Team BC alum Hilary Caldwell (Athlete – Swimming), and BC Games and Team BC alum Ed Fairhurst (Athlete – Rugby).

FULL STORY

Kelly Mann spent 26 years with the Society, beginning as an Event Manager in 1992 before taking over from Roger Skilling as CEO in 1999. As President and CEO, Mann oversaw the transformation of the BC Games from a recreational, all-ages event into one of the country’s premiere developmental multi-sport competitions. He worked with more than 50 communities and developed strategic alliances with provincial and national bodies to expand quality sport experiences for athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and volunteers in B.C.

Along with his many contributions as leader of the Society, Mann was also a co-founder of KidSport Victoria, a Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ambassador, and served on numerous Boards, including the Victoria Harbour Cats Baseball Club, Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Sport Host Victoria, Telus Community Board and the BC Sport System Multi-Sport Organization Leadership Council.

An accomplished equestrian who competed for Canada at a pair of Olympic Games, Liz Ashton made enormous contributions to the B.C. sport sector after retiring as an athlete. Her many contributions as a sport volunteer and leader included serving as President of the Victoria 2000 BC Summer Games and working with Jim Reed and Roger Skillings to launch the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE).

Hilary Caldwell starred for Team BC as a swimmer at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in PEI, winning gold and bronze before going on to make her mark for Canada on the international stage. A two-time Olympian in 2012 and 2016, Caldwell added to her collection of World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games medals when she took home bronze for Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.

Before he was an outstanding member of the Canadian Rugby National 15’s program, Ed Fairhurst attended both the BC Summer Games and the Canada Games with BC Rugby. Fairhurst attended both the Trail/Castlegar 1996 BC Summer Games and the Brandon 1997 Canada Summer Games.

The Class of 2024 will have their plaques hung on the walls of the Save on Food Memorial Centre, joining the 267 previous inductees to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.

Read more about the all of the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees on the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame website.

Langley’s Deschanel Donovan wins W.R. Bennett Award in Maple Ridge

MAPLE RIDGE, British Columbia – Langley’s Deschanel Donovan was presented the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence on Sunday, July 21 at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games.

The W.R. Bennett Award recognizes one athlete at each BC Winter and BC Summer Games who demonstrates athletic achievement and leadership. The award was named in honour of former premier Bill Bennett, who created the BC Games in 1978. Nominations are submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations and the winner receives a $2,500 bursary.

A softball athlete for Zone 3-Fraser Valley, Donovan was recognized moments after she helped lead her team to a gold medal, pitching in the final against Zone 5-Vancouver Coastal. The presentation was made by the Honourable Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food and MLA for Abbotsford-Mission.

“I feel really good – it’s a really cool award to win and I’m very proud of myself for everything I’ve done,” Donovan told Global BC on Sunday. “I’m proud of all of [my team], we’ve all put in the work through the season and it’s come to this.”

Donovan has been a standout in her sport since she began playing a five years old. She currently plays for Fusion 2008 and the AI Bandits travel team located in the USA. Last year, she led her team to a national championship and was named Top Pitcher of the tournament. She was also a candidate for lowest ERA for the Alliance Top Tournament and named on the IDT All-Star Team. She pitches over 60 miles per hour with a current top speed of 67 miles per hour.

Her coach at the BC Games, Katelyn Ross, singles her out as a leader on the team who encourages positivity and makes time for her teammates. In her free time, Deschanel volunteers as a coach for a youth team and teaches pitching lessons.

“She works her butt off, so she’s putting in work at practices probably four to five days a week and then outside of practices as well,” said Ross. “I think the thing about her is that she has goals and ambitions and she’s really working towards those.”

Deschanel pitching at the BC Summer Games.

Sixteen Athletes Receive BC Games Leadership Bursary at 2024 BC Summer Games

Athletes, youth coaches, and officials taking part in the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games were invited to apply for the BC Games Leadership Bursary.

Supported by Canadian Tire, this bursary aims to recognize participants under 19 years of age who have achieved in academics and sport while going above and beyond in their communities through leadership and volunteer activities.

Sixteen recipients were awarded a $1,000 bursary to support their future sport or educational pursuits.

Kootenays (Zone 1)
Tessa Dainard – Athletics (Invermere)
Emma McLachlan – Rugby (Castlegar)

Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2)
Coen Kissmann – Athletics (Kelowna)
Kiersten Bereska – Rowing (Weast Kelowna)

Fraser Valley (Zone 3)
Bode Lynch – Baseball (Maple Ridge)
Keria Bowering – Beach Volleyball (Maple Ridge)

Fraser River (Zone 4)
Advaith S. Iyer – Triathlon (Burnaby)
Savin Kang – Wrestling (Surrey)

Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5)
Elia Comeau – Athletics (North Vancouver)
Jordan Ma – Triathlon (Vancouver)

Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6)
Cedar Chiang – Softball (Victoria)
Christian Attwell – Victoria (Victoria)

North West (Zone 7)
Eric Vander Wart – Soccer (Smithers)
David Vander Wart – Soccer (Smithers)

Cariboo-North East (Zone 8)
Rachael Pruden – Athletics (Prince George)
Cadence Hooft – Basketball (Prince George)

CBC Radio-Canada Interview: First male to compete in artistic swim at B.C. Summer Games

CBC Radio-Canada sat down on July 11 with Caden Wong, who will be the first male to compete in artistic swimming at the BC Summer Games when he suits up at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games from July 17-21. sport at the BC Games when he takes to the water in Maple Ridge next week 🎉

Wong was featured on On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko alongside his coach Meng Chen Pacific Wave Artistic Swim Club.

Listen to the full interview on CBC Radio-Canada’s website.

Be prepared for heat at the BC Summer Games

As the weather warms up, the BC Summer Games reminds all participants and spectators to prepare and stay safe during forecasted high temperatures.

BC Summer Games is monitoring weather alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the BC Heat Alert and Response System and is prepared to respond. 

In the event of a heat alert, information will be disseminated to participants through their sports and updates will be available on social media, bcsummergames.ca, and via email for families of participants. For comprehensive information on how to stay safe in the sun, please visit fraserhealth.ca/sunsafety. For information about dealing with wildfire smoke, visit the Fraser Health website.

More resources about staying prepared, identifying signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and tips for how to stay cool are available at the bottom of this page.

Stay tuned to bcsummergames.ca throughout the Games for more information in the case of heat warnings.

For more information about resources in Maple Ridge, visit MapleRidge.ca. Participants and spectators can also sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Maple Ridge at MapleRidge.ca/Alert to stay informed of heat warnings or extreme heat.


Tips for staying cool

Read more on the Fraser Health website.

Check-In
  • Notice how you feel and watch for signs of heat illness in those around you.
  • Monitor the indoor temperature.
  • At least 2 times a day, check in on those at risk for heat illness.
Dress for the Heat
  • Wear clothing that is loose-fitting, light-colored, and breathable.
Hydrate
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Offer water often to those in your care.
Plan ahead and stay informed
  • Check the weather forecast and latest heat alert information.
  • Take it easy during the hottest times of the day.

About Heat Warnings

There are two types of heat alerts:

Heat Warning – issued when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 33°C or warmer, and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to fall to 17°C or warmer.

Extreme Heat Alert – issued when heat warning criteria have been met and the forecast indicates that daily highs will substantively increase for three or more consecutive days.


Where to cool down in Maple Ridge

  • Stay cool at air-conditioned facilities, including the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, Greg Moore Youth Centre, Albion Community Centre, Maple Ridge Library, and local malls. The location of facilities can be found at MapleRidge.ca/Facilities
  • Take a splash at the City’s water parks. The location of spray parks can be found at MapleRidge.ca/SprayParks.
  • Once a heat warning is issued, the City will open a cooling centre at the Greg Moore Youth Centre (11925 Haney Place) from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hours can be adapted depending on the temperature of the day. 

For more information about heat alerts in Maple Ridge, visit the Maple Ridge website.


More Resources

Everything to know about the 2024 BC Summer Games

The Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games are fast approaching and athletes are now registered to attend.

Learn everything you need to know about the BC Summer Games using our Guide to the Games booklet, G2G Sessions, and Registration Key Dates Timeline.

More resources:


Guide to the Games

The Guide to the Games booklet for the BC Summer Games is now available for download.

The Guide is a document produced before each BC Winter and Summer Games designed to fill participants in on everything they need to know ahead of the Games. The booklet has information on accommodation, transportation, ceremonies, the host community, and more.

Cover for the 2024 BC Summer Games Guide to the Games document.

Guide to the Games (G2G) Sessions

Prior to the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games, online G2G Sessions open to athletes, coaches, officials, and parents provide an overview of what to expect at the Games.

The sessions are meant to help:

  • Increase understanding of the BC Games and the logistics of the Games.
  • Explore ways athletes can gain full benefit from their BC Games experience.
  • Provide specific information and tools to support preparation for the BC Games.
  • Provide practical information regarding their upcoming BC Games experience.
G2G Register for a Session

Registration Key Dates

Celebrating National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.

The House of Commons designated June as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009. The name was changed to National Indigenous History Month in 2017.

Learn more about National Indigenous History Month, resources available, and how you can participate.

Get Involved

Territory Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) People, also known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and recognize that our work in this province spans the territories of more than 200 First Nations, as well as Métis and Inuit communities.

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