Alberta Sport Connection – Fort McMurray, AB – The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has been successful in its bid to host the Alberta Winter Games in February, 2018. The Games provide an opportunity for Albertans 11 – 17 years of age to compete in a province-wide winter sports competition.

More than 2,700 participants, their families and spectators are expected to attend these events and participate in wide variety of sports from skiing, hockey, biathlon, curling and speed skating to synchronized swimming, fencing, artistic gymnastics, volleyball and boxing. For a full list of Winter Games sports and more information see: Alberta Games.

“Congratulations to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and everyone involved in the successful bid to host these Games,” said David Eggen, Minister of Culture and Tourism. The people of Wood Buffalo have a reputation of being outstanding hosts and great supporters of all our amateur athletes and I extend my best wishes for a healthy competition, filled with great memories, friendship and personal growth.”

The Alberta government will provide $300,000 in support of the 2018 Alberta Winter Games through Alberta Sport Connection, and an additional $70,000 through a cultural grant.

“These games will be another great opportunity for the Municipality of Wood Buffalo to showcase their community, their facilities and many other values and attractions”, said John Short, Chair of ASC. “We are looking forward to working with them in staging these Games and welcoming athletes from across our province to the 2018 Alberta Winter Games.”

The Alberta Winter Games are coordinated by Alberta Sport Connection in partnership with the host community. Participants earn the right to participate in the games by qualifying through zone playoffs throughout the province which are held for each sport.

The Alberta Games generate about $3 million in economic impact for host communities.

For more about the Alberta Winter Games, visit www.albertagames.com.

Alberta Sport Connection is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of sport in Alberta.

More information on Alberta Sport Connection: www.albertasport.ca or follow us on Twitter @AlbertaSport_
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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Lloyd Bentz David Hennig
Chief Executive Officer, Alberta Sport Connection Alberta Sport Connection
(780) 415-0263 (office) / (780) 953-0770 (cell) (780) 415-0272 / (780) 721-0686 (mobile)
Email : lloyd.bentz@albertasport.ca david.hennig@albertasport.ca