Cranbrook welcomes the 2008 BC Winter Games

Premier Gordon Campbell lights the flame

The 2008 BC Winter Games opened with drums, dancing and dignitaries on Thursday evening at the Cranbrook RecPlex with almost 1,500 young athletes from all across B.C. in attendance. The competitors were welcomed with performances by the Kimberley Pipe Band, the Ktunaxa Nation Dance Theatre, Kimberley Dance Academy and the Mount Baker Secondary School Jazz Ensemble.

The evening’s events were emceed by Global Television sports anchor/reporter, Jay Janower. In attendance were several dignitaries, including B.C. premier, Gordon Campbell, minister of tourism, sport and the arts, Stan Hagen, MLAs Bill Bennett (East Kootenay) and Norm MacDonald (Columbia River-Revelstoke), Kootenay Columbia MP Jim Abbott, and the mayors of Cranbrook and Kimberley, Ross Priest and Jim Ogilvie. On hand to welcome the athletes was Olympian bobsled gold medalist from 1964, Doug Anakin, who brought his gold medal to show the arena full of young competitors that determination and heart can pay off.

After torch bearers and former professional hockey players, Joel Savage from Cranbrook and Scott Beattie from Kimberley, entered the arena carrying the flames that would open the Games, Premier Campbell lit the official torch and declared the Games open.

“For the past 30 years, the BC Winter Games have provided a venue to showcase the talents of British Columbia’s best young athletes,” said Campbell. “They’ve also provided an opportunity to showcase our communities. This year’s games will reflect the tremendous community spirit and pride of co-hosts Cranbrook and Kimberley.”

The BC Winter Games run from February 22 to 24 in Kimberley, Cranbrook and Sparwood.