The last time Greater Vernon hosted a BC Winter Games was 1992.

While one BC Games is about to begin here in Langley, another is already in the planning stages.

Plans for the 2012 BC Winter Games in Greater Vernon are now getting underway. 

Two significant milestones have been met with the establishment of a host community Board of Directors, and the announcement of the participating sports for the Feb. 23-26, 2012 event.

 “Two significant volunteer groups are required to pool their collective resources in order for an event of this size to take place, said BC Games Society President and CEO Kelly Mann. 

Locally, this 16 person board, led by local businessmen Akbal Mund and and Jim McEwen, will prepare to host B.C.’s best young athletes in 15 sports.

“Jim and I are leading a team of very talented and motivated people,” said Mund, the Greater Vernon Games President. “The experience and passion of our volunteer Board will translate very well into a quality experience for the athletes in February, 2012. We will show them what the people of Greater Vernon can do when it comes to hosting.”

Vernon Mayor Wayne Lippert praised the community for coming together once again,

“Hosting events of this magnitude is only possible with cooperation from School District #22, owners of private recreation facilities, and local government,” Lippert said. “The citizens of the Greater Vernon community have shown their commitment to community spirit by successfully hosting major events in the past and this event will be no different.”

The second group of volunteers comes from the Provincial Sport Organizations. These organizations provide developmental opportunities for athletes, coaches, and officials, ensuring their plans are in keeping with the nationally recognized Canadian Sport for Life criteria, whereby age-appropriate development techniques, skills and coaching are communicated to the athletes.

“Thousands of volunteer hours are given by sport agency volunteers across BC every year in support of our young athletes,” continued Mann.  “As we have seen in our recently held Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games, the opportunities for athletes from the BC Games to excel on the international stage are many.” 

Olympic and Paralympic athletes Maelle Ricker,  Brent Seabrook, Denny Morrison, Josh Dueck and many others had their first multi-sport Games experience with the BC Games.

The roster of sports for February 2012 includes archery, badminton, biathlon, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, netball, ringette, skiing-alpine (includes athletes with a disability), skiing-cross country (includes athletes with a disability), skiing-freestyle, and speedskating.

Greater Vernon last hosted the BC Winter Games in 1992.