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By Jeromy Corrigan

Canada Games Torch Relay arrives in GP

Jan 5, 2019 | 6:00 AM

The Canada Games torch relay arrives in Grande Prairie Saturday as part of the celebration ahead of the 2019 Canada Games in Red Deer.

CEO of the 2019 Canada Games Scott Robinson stated it’s exciting that their games were the first to have a National torch relay.

“We’re really excited about the fact that we are the first Canada Games ever to have a National torch relay as part of our games. In partnership with MNP Canada, we were able to set up a structure to run the torch across the country. We started on October 4th in Ottawa by lighting the torch at the Centennial flame at Parliament Hill where we had the Minister of Sport kick it off.”

The torch has made stops all across the country, and as Robinson added, it only made sense to have Grande Prairie on the loop to kick off the Alberta tour of the relay.

“It just made so much sense to start us off in Alberta in Grande Prairie with them being the last host in 1995. I was there, and I remember how exciting it was and what a great impact it has had on Grande Prairie and it really gave the community a launching pad to become a significant city in Western Canada.”

The torch relay starts at 1 p.m. from Centre 2000 to Revolution Place, with a celebration at Revolution Place from 2:00 – 5 p.m.

Among the torch barriers are Grande Prairie Mayor Bill Given, President of Volleyball Alberta and Chair of the Grande Prairie Sport Council Leigh Goldie, 13-year-old parkour enthusiast Riley Larue, Chief Ramona Horseman, Walker and Cruz Coté, and Ricky Leclerc.

The 2019 Canada Games is in Red Deer in February.

by Jeromy Corrigan