A Mission Milestone

The BC Winter Games were held in Mission for the first time in 2014, and offered a unique opportunity to celebrate sportsmanship and community excellence. Nearly 1800 athletes registered for events in Mission, competing in 18 different sports at the Mission Leisure Centre.

The very first Winter Games took place in Kamloops in 1978, and were started as a way to encourage emerging high-performance athletes to gain a leg up in higher-level competitions. The events are hosted every two years in host communities across BC, bringing together spectators, athletes, coaches and volunteers in order to create pivotal experiences and build community pride.

Organizers of the 2014 Winter Games in Mission announced a $60,000 legacy fund which was donated to sports, arts and cultural initiatives in the community. The funds were largely allocated to grant and bursary programs for sport infrastructure and development of athletes, coaches and officials. Nearly $26,000 in equipment purchased for the Winter Games was donated to Hemlock Resort (now Sasquatch Mountain Resort) and other community venues.

The Games were thoroughly embraced by the community, who contributed thousands of volunteer hours to the event, serving as a testament to Mission’s resounding spirit and enthusiasm.
A total of 67 athletes who competed in Mission advanced to the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George.