Let the preparation to the Games begin!
The Towns of Black Diamond and Okotoks can begin preparing for the arrival of thousands of young athletes in about two years’ time as Minister of Culture Ron Orr announced on Aug. 9 those communities will host the 2023 Alberta Summer Games.
There will be plenty of work to do to get ready. The estimated cost is around $2 million and the Town of Okotoks has committed up to $750,000 to kickstart things.
The expectations are the 2023 Games committee will pay the Town back as much as possible.
The committee is off to a good start. They won the bid to host and the Games chairperson is Sandi Kennedy. Asking Kennedy to organize is like asking Penny Oleksiak if she can swim a lap or two.
Kennedy has a proven track record, having been a former Okotoks mayor, as well as helping with countless community events, including her work with the Rotary Club of Okotoks.
It’s not the first time Okotoks has co-hosted the Games. It shared the job with High River in 2004. The legacy of those Games in Okotoks was the Riverside Park soccer fields and a cinder track in High River. The 2023 facility legacy in Okotoks will be four beach volleyball courts.
Another legacy will be the economic spin-off. While lodging and food will be provided for athletes, their parents, relatives and friends will need places to stay, eat and spend leisure time while they wait for their loved ones to compete.
Athletes and families will also see the beauty of the area, which may mean a return visit.
The result is an estimated spin-off of $3 million from the Games.
A further spin-off will be in building community spirit. The Games are not only a chance for athletes to gather, there will be a bonding of the residents of Okotoks and Black Diamond in helping work together to create a successful event.
