B.C. COMMUNITIES COMPETE TO BE GAMESTOWN 2010

KAMLOOPS – The Province is inviting B.C. communities to showcase their Olympic and healthy-living spirit and vie for the title of GamesTown 2010 and a $100,000 gold medal prize, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

“These Games are for all British Columbians, and we want all B.C. communities to have the opportunity to share in the Olympic spirit and build their own legacy of active and healthy living,” said Premier Campbell. “In just under one year’s time, our province will be hosting the world for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. GamesTown 2010 is a great way for all communities in our province to participate in the excitement leading up to the Games.”

The gold, silver and bronze medal winners will receive cash awards of $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000, respectively, to put towards upgrading a local sports, fitness or healthy living facility. Grand prize winners will also receive tickets to the 2010 Winter Games. As well, draws will be held in March, April and May when 16 communities each month will win prizes to use as incentives and awards to encourage their residents to participate. In total, 15 pairs of tickets to the 2010 Winter Games are available to be won as part of the monthly prizes.

“As we work to achieve our goal of being the healthiest jurisdiction to ever host an Olympic and Paralympic Games, we’re looking to communities, groups and individuals to take leadership wherever possible,” said Mary Polak, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport. “With communities sharing what they’re doing to live healthier and more actively, others can benefit and learn from their experience.”

Everyone is encouraged to post comments, stories, photos and videos online that shows why their community should win the title.

Community entries will be judged on: the creativity and enthusiasm of their submissions; a variety of healthy living and environmental sustainability criteria, such as the level of community engagement at recreation facilities and in amateur sports; the community’s participation in the World Healthy Living Challenge; its commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives; and how active the community is in incorporating the Olympic and Paralympic theme in its current activities and plans for the year ahead.

During the Viewer’s Choice period, everyone in B.C. can vote for their favourite in each of the five community categories, based on community population size: up to 5,000 people; 5,001-10,000 people; 10,001-25,000; 25,001-100,000; and over 100,000. The top two communities in each category will comprise the final 10. From that top 10, a panel of B.C. celebrity judges will choose the gold, silver and bronze medal GamesTown 2010 winners.

To find out more about GamesTown 2010 and to register and promote your community, visit www.GamesTown2010.ca.

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	Bridgitte Anderson Press Secretary Office of the Premier 604 307-7177	Anne McKinnon Communications Director Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport 250 952-2387

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