Fingers were flying on fiddle strings and tap heels were stomping away at Credit Union Place Wednesday to help welcome the folks who will help decide if P.E.I. hosts the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
The Canada Games Bid Evaluation Committee, consisting of eight people, is on P.E.I. for the next couple of days to tour facilities, hear presentations and get a taste of Island culture.
Credit Union Place and Summerside in general is a slated to be a major venue host if the games are awarded to the Island, so the facility was one of the first stops on the group’s cross-Island tour.
Mayor Bill Martin welcomed the group to Summerside before they were ushered into the facility and given a taste of locally produced food and drinks, and musical entertainment.
The performers even wrangled Evan Johnston, chairman of the bid evaluation committee, into a dance.
It was a great welcome and everyone on the committee was appreciative of all the effort, said Johnston.
He added that he was looking forward to evaluating what P.E.I. has to offer over the next couple of days.
“Our job is to make sure that, to whatever community we award, that the Games are held at the highest standard so that it meets the athletes’ expectations and enhances their overall experience,” said Johnston.
He added that once his committee leaves P.E.I. it will give its report to the Canada Games Board of Governors, which will ultimately make the final decision, expected to be announced in October.
Brian McFeely and Wayne Carew are the co-chairmen of P.E.I.’s bid committee and are among those touring with the group while they are here.
“We’ll be showing them a little Island hospitality, showing them some of the strengths that we have in our volunteer community and in our corporate community that we can do this,” said Carew.
“It’s really about showing them we have the capacity to carry out these Games and meet their standards,” added McFeely.
The Canada Winter Games regularly attracts upwards of 3,600 athletes and thousands more coaches, supporters and visitors from across the country.
This Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the public is invited to a support rally at Founder’s Hall to demonstrate Islander’s support for the 2023 Canada Games. The rally will include cultural displays, performances by JJ Chaisson, Ava & Lilly Rashad and local stepdancers, and recognition of former Team P.E.I. Canada Games Alumni.
Colin.MacLean@JournalPioneer.com
@JournalPMacLean
