B.C. Communities Celebrate One-year Countdown

All over B.C., the Games spirit will be ignited through Spirit of BC Week, which runs from February 6 to 14. More than 100 communities are holding 300 events, ranging from street hockey tournaments in Pemberton to a winter festival in Chetwynd to the Canadian Tenors cultural performance in Surrey.

This year, the Tri-Cities will host the provincial Spirit of BC Week launch event at the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex, with support from Spirit of BC committee volunteers and municipal officials in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody.

“The community is excited to kick off the fifth annual Spirit of BC Week,” said Port Coquitlam Spirit of BC Committee Chair Renee Chadwick.“Our volunteers generously give their time to help make our community events fun and engaging for families and people of all ages.”

Spirit of BC is a 2010 Legacies Now program, run in partnership with the Province of B.C.The heart of the program is a network of more than 95 Spirit of BC committees, representing more than 200 communities across the province. Spirit of BC promotes community innovation, pride and excellence, and involves British Columbians in the opportunities arising from the 2010 Winter Games.

Starting at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 7, the provincial launch event at the Port Coquitlam Recreation Complex will feature acrobatic performers and local musicians, along with a community marketplace and a free family skate.

Spirit of BC Week was first held as a countdown to the 2010 Winter Games and has grown into a celebration of British Columbia and its unique communities.While this year’s event focuses on the one-year countdown, with commitment from Spirit of BC committee members around the province community legacies will exist, and continue

Spirit of BC is a province-wide program that involves 95 Spirit of BC committees, representing over 200 communities across the province. These committees support local programs and help create opportunities in sport and recreation, arts, literacy, volunteerism, business and tourism.

The committees also host local events for Spirit of BC Week, an annual province-wide celebration. Spirit of BC Week is held in February, and showcases local programs and services that strengthen community arts, literacy, sport, recreation and volunteerism. Spirit of BC is supported by the Province of British Columbia. Visit SpiritofBC.com for more information.