Officials and thousands of volunteers are in the home stretch as Prince Edward Island prepares to host the 2023 Canadian Winter Games.
The two-week Games will take place from February 18th to March 5th and officials expect around 3,600 athletes and coaches.
With some of them arriving at Charlottetown Airport as early as Friday, some venues and crew quarters are still being finalized.
Without “this army of 5,000 volunteers, we couldn’t do it,” said Wayne Carew, chair of the 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society.
“Volunteers are still signing up and doing their on-site training tours. And we have many planning volunteers involved in the execution. So they’re working flat out, as are the staff,” he said.
“There are a lot of things that need to be done – and a lot of things that really can’t be done until the last minute.”
Rooms in a brand new residence at the University of Prince Edward Island were freshened up with fresh linens and furniture on Monday. It will be an important part of the athletes village for this event.
Signs were erected in the North Rustico and ice was installed around the rink inside the Eliyahu Wellness Center – a legacy project for the Games replacing the North Star Arena.
The arena is set to host both figure skating and short track speed skating events.
The project suffered several setbacks, including construction and supply issues related to inclement weather and the COVID-19 pandemic. But those managing the building believe that with just a few cosmetic jobs left to do, everything will be ready for the games.
“It feels great. I mean to be at that point in a week’s time where we’re going to have the games,” said the center’s general manager Willie MacGuigan.
“The last three months have been stressful. I think for everyone involved and for everyone who has put a lot of time and effort into making this happen and hosting the Canada Games and having our little sport and community members there – it means a lot to a lot of people.”
The opening ceremonies for the 2023 Canada Games will be held Saturday at 7:30pm AT at the Eastlink Center in Charlottetown.
Aside from the competitors, thousands of spectators are expected to attend the games, much more than the officials expected.
“We actually had to suspend our Week 1 Pass sales earlier this week because they were performing better than expected, earlier than expected,” said Jonathan Ross, vice president of sponsorship and revenue generation for the Canada Games.
“We want to make sure that … a family that comes and attends the games is not disappointed and is able to come and support their friends and family.”
