St. Albert is set to shine on for hundreds of athletes now that it's been picked to host the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games.
Sharon Bollenbach, vice-president of sports for Special Olympics Canada, made the announcement at St. Albert Place Tuesday morning.
"It's my pleasure to announce on behalf of Special Olympics Canada and Special Olympics Alberta that St. Albert will be the host community for the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games," she said, to wild applause.
St. Albert had been competing against Edmonton and the Leduc/Westaskiwin/Beaumont/Devon coalition in its bid to host the games, which are held every four years. They will be held in February 2012.
St. Albert's excellent facilities and skilled volunteers were instrumental to its winning bid, Bollenbach said. "There was also a real interest and enthusiasm here that was really engaging."
Now the real work starts, said Coun. Gareth Jones, chair of the city's bid committee.
"We are determined to make this week the greatest games experience these athletes have ever had, and to leave precious memories of St. Albert in their hearts." Jones thanked the organizing committee for all its efforts.
"From now until 2012, let's shine on!" he said, referring to the theme of the city's bid.
Many preparations
The games will bring about 1,100 athletes, coaches and guests to the city by 2012, Jones said, which should be a boon to local hotels and restaurants. It will give the city national exposure, and hopefully should inspire local athletes to get involved in winter sports.
It will also benefit the entire region, emphasized John Pinsent of Special Olympics Alberta, not just St. Albert.
"We know the City of Edmonton and the County of Leduc and all the partners who made such fantastic bids will come together as a great community when we come here to St. Albert."
St. Albert already has all the facilities it needs to host the games, said Mayor Nolan Crouse, so it won't have to build anything new.
"It's going to leave a legacy of community building and a legacy of general understanding by the city," he said, one that would probably be preserved in public art.
St. Albert will host the event's downhill skiers at Edmonton's Rabbit Hill rather than Jasper as originally planned. The city made the decision last week for logistical reasons, Crouse said.
The city should have an organizing committee at work on the games by the end of the year, Jones said. They would likely check out next year's national summer Special Olympics in London, Ont. for organizational tips.
It'll take a lot of hard work for St. Albert athletes to make it to the 2012 games, said Josh Petrone, who plays right wing for the local Special Olympics floor-hockey team.
"There will be a lot of teams there, and it'll be some tough games." Still, he and his killer wrist shot were hoping for gold.
Fellow athlete Josh Klein wasn't sure if he'd make the nationals ("Probably not," he quipped, when asked) but was really excited that the games were coming to town. "Work hard and have fun," was his advice to all those training for the games.
St. Albert hosted the provincial Special Olympics this past summer.
