Premier Pat Binns and the Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister responsible for Sport, today announced members of the Bid Committee for the 2009 Canada Summer Games to be hosted in Prince Edward Island
“It is my pleasure to announce the members of the Bid Committee for the 2009 Canada Summer Games,” says Premier Pat Binns. “This committee will now begin the planning process for Prince Edward Island to host the summer games in 2009. While PEI is not bidding against any other provinces, a bid must be submitted which clearly outlines our plans and demonstrates our ability to meet or surpass the minimum requirements as established by the Canada Games Council.”
The 2009 Canada Summer Games Bid Committee will be chaired by Joseph Spriet a well-known businessman with a great deal of experience in fundraising and facility development in the sport sector as well as experience as a coach, official and administrator.
The bid committee is responsible for submitting a conceptual plan for hosting the games to the Canada Games Council by April 2005. The bid process includes the development of an extensive hosting plan which will address a number of issues including ceremonies and protocol, the cultural program, facilities, corporate sponsorship and marketing, language services, logistics and medical services required to ensure the success of this multi-sport event.
“Hosting the Canada Games is a tremendous opportunity for Prince Edward Island,” said Minister MacFadyen. “This is our opportunity to share our world renowned hospitality, skilled athletes and wonderful hosting abilities with the rest of Canada, and I am confident that our skilled volunteers and the expertise of the bid committee will help to ensure a successful event.”
Members of the committee include Chair, Joseph Spriet, Harvey Mazzerolle, Derek Key, Jean Paul Arsenault, Ed Lawlor, Gus Clinton, Jean Eldershaw, Dave MacNeil, Stan Campbell, Gwen Wyand, Brian McFeely, Mark Lanigan and Tyler Richardson.
“I look forward to the exciting and challenging task ahead for the bid committee,” said Chair of the 2009 Bid Committee, Joseph Spriet. “An excellent team has been established to put together the plan for Prince Edward Island to host the games and I am confident that we will put together a plan which will make all Islanders proud.”
“Two key success factors in a Canada Games bid are community support and strong volunteer leadership,” commented Mr. Larry Smith, Chairman of the Board of the Canada Games Council. “Congratulations on the appointment of your first key leader, your bid Chair, Mr. Joe Spriet. We look forward to working with Mr. Spriet and his committee as Prince Edward Island bids for the 2009 Canada Summer Games.”
The Canada Games are the country’s largest multi-sport event and are the pinnacle of inter-provincial and inter-territorial sport competition. The Games are held at two-year intervals, alternating between winter and summer. Québec City hosted the first Canada Games in 1967. The next Canada Summer Games will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan, from August 6 to 20, 2005. The 2007 Canada Winter Games will be hosted in Whitehorse, Yukon.
BACKGROUNDER
2009 CANADA SUMMER GAMES BID COMMITTEE
CHAIR:
Joseph Spriet
Joseph Spriet will chair the committee. He is a well-known businessman who lives with his family in Valleyfield. Mr. Spriet has been active in the Island sports community for many years. He was instrumental in the development of the Rotary Soccer complex in Montague. Joe is a former coach, official and administrator and presently serves on the Executive of the Brudenell Golf Club.
PRINCE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES:
Harvey Mazzerolle
Harvey Mazzerolle is a long-time physical education teacher and resident of the Tignish area. Harvey has attended a number of Canada Games as a Team Official and Mission Staff. He has significant experience as a coach, official and administrator in a variety of sports in the school, community and provincial level.
Derek Key
Derek Key is a prominent Summerside Lawyer who has made a significant contribution to the Summerside area through his tireless efforts in support of the community through his involvement in activities of the Rotary Club and the Prince County Hospital Foundation and others.
QUEENS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES:
Jean Paul Arsenault
Jean Paul Arsenault is a long-time participant and supporter of Sport within the Province and has attended Canada Games as a parent. Originally from Wellington and now residing in Charlottetown, Jean Paul brings a number of years experience as a senior manager and consultant to the bid process.
Ed Lawlor
Ed Lawlor is the founder and president of DeltaWare Systems, a former board member with Sport PEI, a member of the coaching staff for the PEI Men's Basketball Teams at three previous Canada Games, and Chair of the Results Committee for the 1991 Canada Games.
KINGS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES:
Gus Clinton
Gus Clinton is former Mayor of the Town of Souris with a history of significant sport involvement in the Kings County area as a prominent athlete, coach, official and administrator.
Jean Eldershaw
Jean Eldershaw is a long-time resident of Morell with a long history of involvement in sport at the local provincial and national level as well a former board member of Sport PEI
Dave MacNeil
The sport community representative is Dave MacNeil, Executive Director of Sport PEI. He has an extensive background in sport as a high performance coach and administrator and had significant involvement in past Canada Games as a Chef de Mission and administrator.
FEDERATION OF PEI MUNICIPALITIES REPRESENTATIVES:
Stan Campbell
Stan Campbell is President of the Federation of PEI Municipalities. He is also a councillor for the Community of New Haven-Riverdale.
Gwen Wyand
Gwen Wyand is a member of the Executive of the Federation of PEI Municipalities as well as Vice-chair of the Cavendish Resort Municipality.
GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES:
Brian McFeely, Director of Sport and Recreation will serve on the committee as government’s representative.
Mark Lanigan will provide financial and accounting advice on behalf of the Department of the Provincial Treasury.
Tyler Richardson will offer engineering expertise to the committee on behalf of the Department of Transportation and Public Works.