A year after the tremendously successful 2018 BC Summer Games in the Cowichan Valley, all volunteers, supporters and fans are invited to see the event’s legacy in action next Friday.
Cash and in-kind donations to the Games totalled $1.2 million, and a substantial amount was left over. Half of the remaining money will go forward to help the BC Games Society support future events, while the other half will be distributed locally.
Cheque presentations will take place next Friday at the Cowichan Sportsplex, starting at 5 p.m.
“The Games engaged our community in a way I have never seen before,” said Jen Woike, president of the Cowichan 2018 BC Summer Games and chair of the legacy committee. “People stepped up as volunteers, sponsors and supporters. I hope everyone who helped make the Games possible will come out and take a moment to feel proud of their personal role to create such a tangible benefit for our community. We can ‘show our colours’ one more time.”
The list of tangible benefits to the Cowichan Valley and sports organizations in the province from the 2018 BC Summer Games is already long, including a new dock at Art Mann Park, the hammer cage at the Cowichan Sportsplex, starting blocks at the Cowichan Aquatic Centre, signage and horse stalls at the Cowichan Exhibition, a competition mat for Wrestling BC, portable bike racks for Triathlon BC, soccer nets for the Cowichan Valley Soccer Association, racing gear for canoe/kayak competitions, and competition equipment for towed watersports.
“All of the tremendous hard work and financial success allowed the Games to invest in many other community assets,” said Games vice president Mona Kaiser. “We believe these projects will benefit Cowichan for years to come and be great reminders of the success of the 2018 BC Summer Games. It feels terrific to leave the community in better shape than we found it prior to the Games.”
The rewards from the Games were about more than just sports, Woike pointed out.
“The Games were a celebration of sport, but also a celebration of culture and diversity,” she said. “The arts and culture community put on the most amazing opening ceremony, torch lighting and closing ceremony events, while First Nations culture and language were included and embraced. Everyone did an exceptional job of doing things the Cowichan way and showcasing to the rest of the province how amazing it is here in Cowichan.”