Ice fishing a fun activity for the whole family

For the first time in 50 years, the Saskatchewan Winter Games will take place in Regina from Feb.20-26. SUPPLIED The Saskatchewan Winter Games showcases the province’s finest emerging athletes and prepares them for national competition. SUPPLIED

Saskatchewan Winter Games to CEL EBRATE 50 YEA RS

RAY PENNER SPECIAL TO POSTMEDIA NETWORK

FOR THOUSANDS OF Saskatchewanresidents,February in Regina will bring a dramatic and welcome relief to yet another COVID winter. That’s when more than 1,800 athletes, coaches and officials will participate in the 2022 Saskatchewan Winter Games. To add to the excitement, the Games – to be held from February 20-26 – will be preceded by Regina’s first-ever Winter Festival and the Wascana Winter Festival.

“We’re attracting athletes and families from every corner of the province, plus it’s an opportunity to showcase our city,” said Valerie Sluth, chair of the Host Society for the Games. “February will be an exciting time in Regina!”

The inaugural Saskatchewan Games, for summer sports, were held in Moose Jaw in 1972, with the winter sports featured in 1974 in North Battleford. As in the Olympics, the winter and summer events alternate every four years. All of the games up until now have been held in locations other than Regina or Saskatoon, in keeping with one of the objectives of the Games, to promote economic development throughout Saskatchewan.

Holding the Games in Regina was driven by two principal and related factors. “It allowed us to better celebrate the 50th Anniversary, such as having the opening ceremonies at the Brandt Centre, which is a much bigger facility than we’re used to. Also, the athletes will all be housed at residences at the University of Regina,” explained Sluth. “Facilities like these were necessary because of COVID conditions; it’s enabled the Games to proceed.”

In addition to the teams from all nine provincial districts, the Games are expected to draw more than 5,000 spectators, involve more than 1,000 community volunteers, and inject over $3 million into Regina’s economy. Sixteen sports will be on display, with everything from alpine skiing to table tennis, to showcase Saskatchewan’s finest emerging athletes.

Ever-changing COVID conditions have had an impact, with requirements that may change before the Games begin. Currently, all athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators must be fully vaccinated to participate. That meant that athletes under the age of 12 had to be excluded when the rules were established, which impacted gymnastics, for example, where some events had to be cancelled. “Now that children under the age of 12 can be vaccinated, that might change,” said Sluth. Judo was also cancelled, because of the close-contact nature of the sport, which severely limited the opportunity for athletes to train for the Games.

Despite the limitations, the Saskatchewan Winter Games are a “bright light” in the shadow of COVID, according to Sluth. Sports numbers have dropped significantly in the past 18 months because of training limitations. “The Games give athletes something to look forward to.”

The Games play a critical role in the development of amateur sports in the province, which is central to its purpose. In addition to inspiring athletes and encouraging community development of quality facilities, the Games also provide essential experience in competing at a games event, to better prepare athletes and coaches for competition at higher levels such as the Canada Games and North American Indigenous Games.

The 2022 Saskatchewan Winter Games will celebrate not only a 50th anniversary, but also a triumph of the Prairie spirit, the will to carry on despite the hardships that come our way. “It’s a celebration of congregation — an opportunity to get together and have fun, while giving our youth the opportunity to participate in their sport,” said Sluth.

For more information on the Games, including tickets, events and volunteer opportunities, visit saskgames/winter.