Games led by familiar pacesetters

Nicole Clow has gone from a 16-year-old athlete at the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games to manager of the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster.

Clow teamed up with guest speaker Wendy Plandowski, co-chair of the Games, to promote awareness of the event and the need for volunteers at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Monday.

“We’re just getting the word out now and get it on people’s calendars, so if they can volunteer their time, to make sure they’re aware of that,” said Clow.

The countdown clock is ticking to the July 21-27 Games with a big to-do list on Clow’s plate working with cochairs Plandowski and Aaron Rawlake and committees galore.

“We have to recruit over 1,000 volunteers, make sure our venues are up to par and get all of our plans in place,” said Clow.

The event will attract more than 1,800 participants including athletes aged 11-18 in 15 sports spanning nine district teams on a tight $2.4 million budget.

Organizers expect the event will draw about 5,000 spectators and generate $5 million in economic spinoffs.

“Hotels and motels will be full. Everybody will be busy in the ser - vice sector,” said Clow.

“I think this a big event that’s coming and it’s going to have a lot of impact. It kind of already has.”

Clow was referring to the planning that went into the 2020 Summer Games in Lloydminster that got cancelled due to COVID.

“Very rarely do Games come back so quickly, but with the 2020 planning that started, venue upgrades have already happened, so there will be several legacies left in the community through facility improvements and equipment purchases,” she explained.

Upgrades will include a third volleyball court with electric power, the purchase of portable bleachers, archery targets and upgrades at the canoe/kayak and soccer venues.

Plandowski says Lloydminster was given the opportunity to “Groundhog Day it” and do it again in 2024.

“We are really excited about the incredible momentum, the hosting this community can do,” she said.

Plandowski first got involved in 1994 with a bid tour for the 1997 Alberta Summer Games as a board member.

“That was one of the best volunteer experiences I ever had,” she said.

She was also the 2008 Saskatchewan Summer Games co-chair and headed up volunteers for the cancelled Games in 2020.

After competing in the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games in the shot put, discus and hammer throw, from Carnduff Sask, Clow coached at the 2008 Games in Lloydminster.

“When I coached I did an internship with the Saskatchewan Games

Council and I figured out you can do this for a living; that’s what got me hooked,” said Clow.

“Since 2010, I’ve been a part of every Games except for one in one form or another, whether it be chef de mission or Games manager.”

This past winter, Clow was the general manager of the Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray before heading back to Lloyd.

“I appreciate the opportunity to come and work with communities and leaders and volunteers and help make something special,” said Clow.