The MNP Torch Relay reached the northern capital Saturday. Prince George hosted the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
A total of 12 people carried the torch through downtown including Alyson Gourley-Cramer, Joel McKay, Mike Morris, Catherine Hansen-McCarthy, Darlene McIntosh, Todd Doherty, Ted Clarke, Lyn Hall, Mandi Graham, Tony and Myrna Cable, and Justin Hampole.
Hampole, a figure skater from PG, competed in the 2015 games earning a bronze medal. He said the games have a special place in his heart.
“It was an incredible honour, I’m very thankful for this opportunity. The Canada Winter Games is an experience like no other.”
Hampole is continuing to pursue figure skating, recently qualifying for senior nationals in January.
In the time since the games were hosted, PG has been put more prominently on the map. Especially with upcoming events like the 2019 World Para-Nordic Skiing Championships and 2019 NORCECA U19 Men’s Pan American Cup, the positive ripple effect continues to be felt.
“It was really an opportunity for us to use that as a stepping stone,” said Mayor Hall.
“The games put us on the national stage and people recognized and saw what we were able to do so as a result of that, we were able to go after national and international events and the Paranordic Games coming here in 2019 are an example of that.”
This was the final stop before the torch reaches Alberta. The 2019 Canada Winter Games are being held in Red Deer from February 15th until March 3rd.
The #PrinceGeorge MNP Torch Relay is underway @PGCivicCentre, as Alyson Gourley-Cramer starts things off #CityofPG @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/P5zHksN05O
— Matt Fetinko (@mattfetinko) December 8, 2018