There is a lot of excitement in the air right now after the towns and counties of Barrhead and Westlock were successful in their bid to host the 2013 55-plus Summer Games.
Staff members from all four organizations came together in a single effort to prove to the games bid committee that we have what it takes to organize a top-notch event. Both communities have the facilities and the people that will make the games successful. This event will bring to the area 1,100 athletes who will compete in a variety of events in both communities.
It truly has the makings of one of the most memorable events to come to the area. Now, it’s up to the residents to ensure athletes go home bragging about our communities. It is going to take a concerted effort of some 400 people to take up volunteer positions to pull off the games. Town of Barrhead CAO Martin Taylor has put out the call to all interested residents who want to volunteer their time to look into the available positions. There is just about something for everyone in terms of jobs that need to be done, and can range from something as simple as greeting athletes to something more complex and time consuming like arranging accommodations for those athletes.
Of course, there are more intricate roles that need to be filled. Thirteen people are needed to act as portfolio managers, who will oversee the majority of the work being done by the many volunteers who undoubtedly will step forward for this endeavour.
To date, about four people from Westlock have put their name forward to serve as portfolio managers, Taylor said. The games committee’s goal is to have equal representation from Westlock and Barrhead. This community is well-known for its volunteers, and it goes without saying that, in time, there will be no problem securing those volunteers. The board of directors will be comprised of four elected officials from all four municipalities. Town Councillor Shelley Oswald has agreed to be a director, so has County Reeve Bill Lee. The town and county of Westlock will be putting in place their representatives within the next few weeks.
This is an excellent opportunity for residents of this community to forge memories that will last a lifetime. It will be our chance to show off this community to more than 1,000 residents from across Alberta, and those athletes will bring back word to their own communities of what Barrhead has to offer. We’ve already demonstrated to the games bid committee that we are worthy of hosting the games, now we have to put our money where our mouth is and show the rest of Alberta the true meaning of volunteerism..
