media release - City of Prince George

MEDIA RELEASE
City of Prince George
1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9
February 3, 2011
For Immediate Release
“Founding Members of 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society Named”
Prince George, BC –The founding members of the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society were
introduced at a celebration event today. This past fall, Prince George edged out Kamloops and Kelowna
to earn the right to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games. Having hosted the 1973 Canada Summer
Games in New Westminster and Burnaby and the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, 2015 will
mark only the third time the Games are hosted in the province and the first time for British Columbia to
host the Winter Games.
“Prince George has a proven track record of hosting major sporting events and I believe the Host Society
has put together a great team to make the 2015 Canada Winter Games a success,” said Premier Gordon
Campbell. “The Games are a great opportunity to showcase Prince George to the rest of the country and
will help to create new economic opportunities for the community.”
The Host Society, developed through the Canada Games Council terms of reference, will be chaired by
Anthony Everett who has a long history in the tourism field and is currently the CEO of the Northern
British Columbia Tourism Association. In addition, several other key community and business leaders are
part of the Host Society, including Brett Robinson, current VP at Canfor Pulp, Blair Mayes, former General
Manager of Dunkley Lumber, and Jane Newman who is the Associate Partner for Deloitte & Touche.
They are joined by Jim Martin, Finlay Sinclair, Tracy Calogheros, Bryan Mix, and Derek Bates. Rounding
out the founding members are Geoff Paynton of Williams Lake who provides regional representation, and
Josh Seymour of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. Representatives from the Federal and Provincial
Governments and the Canada Games Council will also be added.
“This is a fantastic and talented group of individuals that will strive to ensure this is the best Canada
Games ever held,” said Mayor Dan Rogers. “As per the Canada Games terms of reference, these
individuals represent key strategic areas that are critical to providing a successful event.”
“The Host Society will also be assisted by hundreds of other volunteers that will join the effort this year
and the thousands who will be needed when the event arrives in four years,” said Bid Co-Chair Les
Waldie. “There will be plenty of work required and an opportunity for everyone to be involved in this great
event.”
“I am very honoured to be selected by the board to be the Chair of the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host
Society,” said Anthony Everett. “We have an amazing team in place so far and we are all excited to begin
planning for 2015. We are also looking to attract a few more individuals to our Host Society and will be
seeking public interest in the coming months once we better understand the roles and where some
additional experience may be of value.”
The next steps for the Host Society will be to participate in an Observer Program during the Halifax 2011
Games this month that will provide them with transfer of knowledge opportunities.
“Participation in the Canada Games Observer Program is an extremely important element in preparing to
host the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George. The Observer Program is a joint initiative of the
Canada Games Council (CGC) and the Halifax 2011 Canada Games Host Society and not only allows
future hosts to experience a Canada Games up close but also to interact and learn from the staff and
volunteers who have worked for more than four years to host athletes from all across Canada,” says Sue
Hylland, President and CEO, Canada Games Council. “The program also includes meetings between the
CGC and the Prince George 2015 Host Society at which present and future marketing of the Games will
be discussed and the ground work set for the development of a Business Plan that will commence in
early spring.”
The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi sport event to ever be held in Northern British
Columbia, with 3600 athletes, 4000-6000 volunteers, 1300 officials, media, medical professionals, and
thousands of visitors entering the community. This event is expected to create an economic impact of
$70-$90 million and will leave lasting legacies in the community.
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Media Contact:
Anthony Everett
Chair, 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society
250.561.0432 ext# 203
Mike Davis
Manager, Communications and Citizen Engagement
City of Prince George
250.561.7619
Follow us @cityofpg
Media Backgrounder- 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society; Founding Members information
Anthony Everett (Chair)
Anthony is the Chief Executive Officer of Northern BC Tourism and has over 20 years of tourism industry
experience. His first steps into the tourism and communications business were at The Butchart Gardens
and the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Anthony’s specialization in travel media relations gained
him positions as manager of travel media relations for Tourism Victoria and account director for Tartan
Public Relations.
Anthony has been enthusiastically experiencing and promoting BC’s north since being in his current
position since 2007.
Derek Bates
Derek Bates is City Manager for the City of Prince George, a position he has held since January 2007.
Derek has worked in local government for 23 years in various administrative capacities including
Environmental Services Director, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Administrative Officer.
Derek served on the project steering committee for the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre and then on
the Northern Sport Centre Ltd. Board and Executive, for five years.
Tracy Calogheros- Director of Ceremonies, Protocol and Festivals for the 2015 Canada Winter Games
Bid Committee
Tracy is the Executive Director for the Exploration Place, Museum and Science Centre. She currently
serves on the Boards of Progress Prince George, The Tourism Prince George Society and the Canadian
Association of Science Centre. Past roles have included, Vice Chair of the Emily Carr University of Art
and Design, President of the British Columbia Museums Association, President and Interim CEO of
Northern British Columbia Tourism Association, Secretary for the Canadian Association of Science
Centre, Tourism Chair for the Spirit of BC Community Committee and a Western Representative on the
National Section Committee-Broadband for rural and northern development. Tracy was honored with the
Association of Science and Technology Centers’ international award for Experienced Leadership in the
field.
Jim Martin- Director of Administration and Finance for the 2015 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee
Jim is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
He holds a Bachelor of Science from Simon Fraser University and was also a member of the Simon
Fraser University Rugby Football Club both as a player and as a member of the executive. Over the past
number of years Jim has been involved in a variety of sports as a competitor, coach and executive. This
has included alpine skiing, rugby, cycling, squash, baseball, football, soccer and curling. He is currently
involved with the local alpine ski club as an event organizer and official.
Blair Mayes
Since 1977, Blair has been employed in senior management positions in the forest industry throughout
the north central interior of BC. From 1996-2010, Blair held the position of General Manager with
Dunkley Lumber. Blair is active as a Board Member and Chairman with the Northern Forest Products
Association Board and BC Council of Forest Industries.
Bryan Mix, CGA
Bryan is the Secretary Treasurer for the Board of Education of School District No. 57 (Prince George). He
has held that position for over 22 years, and prior to that he was Secretary Treasurer in the now
amalgamated Burns Lake School District. In addition he has held management and corporate positions
in the public service and the private sector.
In Prince George he has held many volunteer positions, such as Director of the Family YMCA, President
of both Minor Hockey and the Prince George Spruce Kings Junior Hockey Club and Associate Director of
the 1990 BC Summer Games. He is a proud father of two grown children and has five grandchildren
under the age of three.
Jane Newman, CA, CBV, CFE
Jane Newman is an Associate Partner in the financial advisory services /audit department of Deloitte &
Touche’s Prince George office. Jane has been an active volunteer in the community. Recent positions
include 12 years as treasurer/ president of Prince George Minor Hockey Association. Prince George Minor
Hockey is one of the largest associations in the province with approximately 1400 hockey players. As well as
being a 3-year participant in the Prince George Iceman, Jane is the treasurer of that organization. She is also
a long-term director and the current treasurer of the Prince George Cougars Hockey 50/50 Society.
Geoff Paynton
Geoff is currently the Director of Community Services for the City of Williams Lake and is responsible for
the provision of all Recreation, Sport, Arts, Culture and Heritage programs, services and facilities for
Williams Lake and the Central Caribou Regional District.
Geoff has been very involved in PacificSport North since the first day it came into existence as the
Regional Multisport Network Centre in 1995. He was a staff member for the first 3.5 years and as a board
member at the provincial and regional level since that time.
While working for the City of Prince George Geoff was very involved in the collaborative partnership with
City and the University of Northern British Columbia in making the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre a
reality by first sitting on the Steering Committee and then as a member of the Operations Committee. In
2009 Geoff was part of the Team BC Mission Staff in the Canada Summer Games in Prince Edward
Island.
Brett Robinson, P. Eng.
Brett is the current VP of Operations for Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership and Director, Run of River
Power Company. Additionally, Brett is the former General Manager, Prince George Pulp, Intercon Pulp
and Specialty Paper mills of Canfor Pulp. Brett is also the past Program Chair of PACWEST. Brett holds a
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Manitoba and is a Registered
Professional Engineer.
Josh Seymour
Josh is from the Lheidli T'enneh nation, and continually volunteers his time when needed. Josh works for
the Prince George Native Friendship Center as a front line worker in the Ketso Yoh facility, where he has
worked for the past 3 years. Josh is interested in preserving his nation’s culture, customs, songs and
language whenever he can. Josh is a family oriented person that has a strong presence within the Lheidli
T’enneh youth and community.
Finlay Sinclair- Director of Business Development for the 2015 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee
Finlay is the Director of Business Development with Northern Health Authority. He is also the Director of
the Prince George Chamber of Commerce and a Yellowhead Rotarian. Finlay is also an adjunct
Professor at the University of Northern British Columbia since 2001 as well as a licensed paramedic for
the BC Ambulance Services. He attended Simon Fraser University. Finlay and his wife have 4 children.
Finlay has contributed countless hours of volunteer work including most recently as the Medical Director
for the 2007 Royal Bank Cup and as the Medical Director for the 2008 BC Seniors Games.
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
La ville de Prince George
1100, boulevard Patricia, Prince George, C.-B. V2L 3V9
Le 3 février, 2011
Pour diffusion immédiate
« Les membres fondateurs établit la société hôtesse des jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2015 »
Prince George, C.-B. – Les membres fondateurs de la société hôtesse des jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2015 étaient
présentés aujourd’hui lors de la célébration de l’événement. L’automne dernier, Prince George a l’emporté sur
Kamloops, et Kelowna en décrochant le titre d’hôte des jeux d’hiver du Canda de 2015. Pour avoir accueilli les jeux
d’été du Canada de New Westminster et de Burnaby de 1973 et les jeux d’été du Canada de Kamloops de 1993,
ème
ère
fois que les jeux sont accueillis dans la province et la 1 fois que la Colombie-Britannique va
2015 sera la 3
accueillir les jeux d’hiver.
« Prince George a la réputation d’accueillir les événements sportifs majeurs et je crois que la société hôtesse a mis
en place une grande équipe pour s’assurer que les jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2015 soit une réussite » a affirmé le
Premier ministre Gordon Campbell. Ces jeux sont une opportunité de présenter Prince George au reste du pays et
une occasion de créer de nouvelles opportunités économiques pour la communauté.
La société hôtesse décrite dans les termes de références du Conseil des jeux du Canada, sera présidée par Anthony
Everett qui a une grande expérience dans le secteur du tourisme et qui occupe le poste de Président-directeur
général de Northern British Columbia Tourism Association. De même, plusieurs hauts responsables de la
communauté et des leaders du monde des affaires sont membres de la société hôtesse notamment, Brett
Robinson, l’actuel vice-président de la Compagnie Canfor Pulp, Blair Mayes, le précédent Directeur général de
Dunkley Lumber et Jane Newman, la partenaire Associée de Deloitte & Touche. Ils sont rejoints par Jim Martin,
Finlay Sinclair, Tracy Calogheros, Brian Mix et Derek Bates. Le nombre des membres fondateurs s’élargit avec
l’arrivée de Geoff Payton de Williams Lake qui assure la représentation régionale et Josh Seymour des premières
nations Lheidli T’enneh. A cette liste s’ajoute les représentants des gouvernements fédéral et provincial ainsi que
du Conseil des jeux du Canada.
« C’est un groupe d’individus talentueux et fantastique qui va s’employer à s’assurer que ces jeux du Canada soient
les meilleurs jeux jusque-là organisés,» déclare le maire Dan Rogers. » «D’après les termes de référence des jeux
du Canada, ces individus constituent un atout crucial pour une planification stratégique afin de garantir un
événement réussi.»
« Je suis honoré d’être sélectionné par le Conseil à titre de présidente de la société hôtesse des jeux d’hiver du
Canada,» déclare Anthony Everett «Nous avons déjà en place une équipe extraordinaire et nous sommes
enthousiastes pour commencer la planification de 2015. Nous voulons aussi que plus de gens s’impliquent dans
notre société hôtesse et dans les mois qui viennent une fois qu’on aura assimilé mieux les rôles, nous ferons appel
au public intéressé à se joindre à nous.
Les prochaines étapes de la société hôtesse seront de participer dans le programme d’observation durant les jeux
de Halifax de 2011 du mois courant lui permettant d’accéder au transfert des possibilités de connaissances.
« La participation au programme d’observation des jeux du Canada est un élément extrêmement important dans
la préparation de l’accueil des jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2015 à Prince George. Le programme d’observation est
une initiative conjointe du Conseil des jeux du Canada ( CJC) et de la société hôtesse des jeux du Canada à Halifax
en 2011 qui va non seulement permettre aux prochains hôtes d’expérimenter de près des jeux du Canada mais qui
va également leur permettre d’interagir et d’apprendre du personnel et des bénévoles qui ont à leur actif plus de
quatre ans d’expérience dans l’accueil des athlètes de partout au Canada,» déclare Sue Hylland, PrésidentDirecteur général du Conseil des jeux du Canada. «Le programme inclut aussi des réunions entre CJC et la société
hôtesse de 2015 de Prince George au cours desquelles la promotion présente et future des jeux sera discutée ainsi
que le développement d’un plan d’affaire qui commencera au début du printemps.
Les jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2015 seront le plus grand évènement des sports divers jamais organisé dans la
région du nord de la Colombie-Britannique, comptant 3600 athlètes, 4000 à 6000 bénévoles, 1300 représentants
des medias, les professionnels de la santé et des milliers de visiteurs attendus dans la communauté. On peut
s’attendre à ce que cet évènement engendre des retombées en termes économiques de l’ordre de 70 à 90 millions
de dollars ainsi qu’un héritage que la communauté n’est pas prête d’oublier.
Contact-Media :
Anthony Everett
Président, Société hôtesse des Jeux d’hiver du Canada de 2015
250-561-0432 ext.: 203
Mike Davis
Gestionnaire, Communications et Engagement des citoyens
Ville de Prince George
250-561-7619