Hosting the largest event in the history of central Alberta is no simple task. To pull of the 2019 Canada Winter Games, we need the support of many different groups like our Funding Parties, volunteers, staff, community partners and corporate sponsors. Led by co-chair Lars Rogers and Bradley Williams, the 2019 Games sponsorship committee has secured over 90 sponsors to help us create a life-shaping Games experience in 2019.
Lars joined the 2019 Games volunteer team around three years ago. A Red Deer resident for 15 years, he has experience volunteering with the United Way and Festival of Trees, but it was memories of previous Canada Games that sealed the deal for him.
In 1971, Saskatoon hosted the Canada Winter Games. Lars grew up in Saskatchewan and saw the Games broadcast on TV for the first time. He also witnessed the Games leave a legacy in the community through the construction of the Blackstrap Ski Hill. Decades later, Lars was working in Fort St. John and saw the positive economic impact of the 1995 Canada Winter Games on Grande Prairie.
When the opportunity to get involved in the Games came up, Lars could not say no. This was an opportunity to make a mark on Red Deer, a place where Lars and his family put down roots and where he changed his job just to stay in town.
“We really like central Alberta and all that it has to offer and we’re really excited to have the opportunity to showcase the region so that the whole country can see our wonderful facilities, conditions and location,” Lars says.
The Games offers so many different areas to get involved in, but Lars chose to get involved with sponsorship. He wanted to make the sponsorship program a success for both the businesses investing and the Games itself.
“We want sponsors to come to the Games and think ‘boy, we made a wonderful investment for our company, for youth and for our community’,” Lars explains.
Though Lars is no stranger to volunteering, he says his time with the 2019 Games has been full of learning. He says that teamwork is critical to the sponsorship committee’s success and that you can never say thank you enough.
With the Games coming up quick, sponsorship recruitment is winding down. Making this event happen is not possible without our Funding Parties - the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta and the City of Red Deer - and all of our corporate sponsors. The 2019 Canada Winter Games is grateful for their support.
Lars isn’t looking back, though. He can’t wait for the Games to begin and see three years of volunteer work come to life.
“I’m really looking forward to the Opening Ceremony and seeing all those athletes gather together in the Centrium,” says Lars. “There’s a part of me that is looking forward to the Closing Ceremony and knowing we got it done and that Red Deer was ready.”
Time is running out for you to be a part of this once-in-a-generation event! You can be a volunteer with the 2019 Games. Visit canadagames.ca/2019/volunteer to learn more about getting involved.
Scott Hastie
2019 Canada Winter Games