STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

Arctic Winter Games Committee “very impressed” after Grande Prairie visit

Jan 15, 2019 | 4:30 AM

The Grande Prairie area hosted community members and the International Committee selection team Monday for the 2022 Arctic Winter Games in support of Grande Prairie’s bid.

As part of the adjudication process, a community tour took place throughout the day and a final trade show style event took place on the second floor of the Eastlink Centre Fieldhouse.

The committee was in the area to scope out what Grande Prairie has to offer if chosen as the host site.

“The vibrancy in the community, the engagement that they have with us, what they show us, the experience that we have while we’re here and then we all sit down as a committee and digest,” explained John Rodda, Vice President of the Arctic Winter Games International Committee.

The Arctic Winter Games is an International sport competition for northern and arctic athletes from Canada, the United States, Russia, Greenland and northern Scandinavian countries.

Winning the bid to host the International event would provide a significant economic impact to the Grande Prairie community as the Games attract approximately 2,000 participants and over 500 additional visitors, from coaches to spectators.

Rodda, who has been involved with the games since 1974 says he’s “very impressed.”

The last time he visited Grande Prairie was during the 2010 Arctic Winter Games.  

Regarding the massive changes he’s seen in the community during his visit Monday, Rodda said, “Seeing Grande Prairie as it exists today, it has huge strengths.”

The event featured information booths, sports demonstrations, various community groups and a DJ.

Grande Prairie is competing against Fort McMurray for the right to host the Games and the International Committee will be touring that city next.

The final choice for the host city of the 2022 Games will be made at the end of February.