CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Putting together the 2023 Canada Winter Games on P.E.I. will be a team effort.
Games co-chairman Wayne Carew unveiled some of those key members Friday: 15 individuals joining Carew and his co-chairman Brian McFeely, a Summerside councillor, as board of directors.
The board is charged with the governance of a $54.2 million budget and to establish policies.
“We have a good representation from across the province,’’ says Carew.
“I think we’ve got a really great team. We have a really strong board of directors.’’
Several will be familiar to many Islanders, including Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart and Charlottetown Mayor Phillip Brown representing their respective cities.
Islander Mark Arendz, who dazzled at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games hauling home a remarkable six medals, will represent Sport Canada on the board.
Blair Dunn, an assurance partner at Grant Thornton, is tackling the weighty role of treasurer.
Kateri Coade, the director of social development programs for Abegweit First Nation, will serve as secretary.
John Morrison, the province’s director of sport, and Cindy Harris, secretary to the provincial Treasury Board, are representatives for the Province of P.E.I.
Big price tag
- The 2023 Canada Winter Games on P.E.I. is expected to cost just over $54 million.
- Co-chairman Wayne Carew says $36.4 million will be operating cost and $17.8 million will be capital expenses.
- The federal government is paying $11.1 million and the province is picking up the lion’s share with a $34.6 million contribution.
- A target of $8.5 million has been set for private funding, including sponsorships and other fundraising.
- “It’s a big endeavour particularly for a smaller jurisdiction,’’ says Carew.
- Jonathan Ross is the fundraising chairman. Ross is president of the Community Foundation of P.E.I., which currently manages 85 individual funds with a combined value of close to $12 million and distributes scholarships and grants to all corners of the community in arts and culture, education, health, social services and the environment.
- The 2019 Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alberta cost $64.2 million and the 2009 Canada Summer Games held on P.E.I. cost $33 million.
- Carew says the economic impact to the province of hosting the Winter Games is estimated at $110 million based on national Canada Games historical models.
The Canada Games Council is represented by its CEO, Dan Wilcock, and national board member Lynn Blouin.
O’Leary councillor Joey Dumville is representing western P.E.I. and Jim MacPhee is representing eastern P.E.I.
Jackie Podger, vice president of administration and finance with UPEI, is representing the university.
Debbie McMurdo, a retired sports official, Dave MacNeill, and Jonathan Ross of Richardson GMP, will all serve as board members.
Carew says the board of management – nine senior volunteers each heading up a specific division – will be announced in the near future.
Work continues, he adds, on finalizing all the venues for the Winter Games.
The athlete’s village will be in Charlottetown as the athletes will be the first tenants in the new UPEI residence announced last year.
More than 5,000 volunteers will need to be recruited to help pull off the major sporting event as seamlessly as possible.
Carew acknowledged the hope that weather would be far more agreeable than Friday’s frigid, blustery day that led to schools being closed and several cancellations.
“Probably our biggest concern is weather, of course,’’ he says.
“The important thing is to have contingency plans and that’s the importance of having a good team around us.’’
