The joint Westlock and Barrhead bid to host the 2013 Alberta 55+ Summer Games will come one step closer to success on March 23 when five members of the selection committee come to the region to take a look at the proposed facilities.
“We’re very excited, incredibly excited,” said bid committee spokesperson and Westlock CAO Darrell Garceau.
“This is an excellent opportunity.”
The selection committee will be packing a lot of activity into its four-hour visit to Westlock and Barrhead, Garceau said. After arriving at the Westlock airport at 2 p.m., the committee will be spirited away in a motor coach to the Westlock town office for a brief reception and slide show to highlight the proposed venues.
From there it will be a whirlwind of activity as the bid committee plans to show the judges various sites in the town and county where different events will be held.
In particular, Garceau said the judges will have a chance to see the aquatic centre and the site of the Spirit Centre.
After touring the Westlock facilities, the judges will be shown several sites in Barrhead, including the Agrena, Barrhead Composite High School and downtown Barrhead to get a feel for the community.
At this point, the tour will return to Westlock for another reception, where the bid committee and selection committee will have a chance to talk more about how the Games will pan out if granted to Westlock and Barrhead, Garceau said.
According to the bid package, there are five venues for the games situated in either the Town of Westlock or Westlock County.
One of these is the Spirit Centre, which is slated to host the opening ceremonies, floor curling and shuffleboard and several of the Games’ administrative facilities.
Another is the Westlock Community Recreation Centre, which would play host to the swimming events.
Others include the Hazel Bluff Hall, the Westlock horseshoe pits and several ball diamonds and tennis courts.
The bid committee is planning to introduce mountain biking to the roster of sports at the Games, Garceau said, which are planned to take place at the Tawatinaw Valley ski hill.
The bid committee has been preparing for this evaluation for several days, Garceau said, and has been working on who will be part of the host delegation on Wednesday.
At present, he said the delegation will comprise members of the bid committee, business people, athletes who have competed at previous Games and volunteers who would help make the event a success.
“We’re going to welcome them with open arms,” he said. “It’s a big day for Westlock and Barrhead.”
