VICTORIA – Former BC Games Society President and CEO Kelly Mann (Builder), who led the organization from 1999 to 2018, was officially inducted to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night alongside three other individuals with a connection to the organization.
A total of four athletes, three builders, and a SID Thomas Media Award winner were inducted at the in-person event hosted at the Delta Ocean Pointe ballroom in Victoria. Joining Mann as inductees with a BC Games Society connection were President of the Victoria 2000 BC Summer Games Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Ashton (Builder), Team BC alum Hilary Caldwell (Athlete – Swimming), and BC Games and Team BC alum Ed Fairhurst (Athlete – Rugby).
KellyMann spent 26 years with the Society, beginning as an Event Manager in 1992 before taking over from Roger Skilling as CEO in 1999. As President and CEO, Mann oversaw the transformation of the BC Games from a recreational, all-ages event into one of the country’s premiere developmental multi-sport competitions. He worked with more than 50 communities and developed strategic alliances with provincial and national bodies to expand quality sport experiences for athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and volunteers in B.C.
Along with his many contributions as leader of the Society, Mann was also a co-founder of KidSport Victoria, a Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games ambassador, and served on numerous Boards, including the Victoria Harbour Cats Baseball Club, Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence, Sport Host Victoria, Telus Community Board and the BC Sport System Multi-Sport Organization Leadership Council.
An accomplished equestrian who competed for Canada at a pair of Olympic Games, Liz Ashton made enormous contributions to the B.C. sport sector after retiring as an athlete. Her many contributions as a sport volunteer and leader included serving as President of the Victoria 2000 BC Summer Games and working with Jim Reed and Roger Skillings to launch the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence (PISE).
Hilary Caldwell starred for Team BC as a swimmer at the 2009 Canada Summer Games in PEI, winning gold and bronze before going on to make her mark for Canada on the international stage. A two-time Olympian in 2012 and 2016, Caldwell added to her collection of World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Pan American Games medals when she took home bronze for Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.
Before he was an outstanding member of the Canadian Rugby National 15’s program, Ed Fairhurst attended both the BC Summer Games and the Canada Games with BC Rugby. Fairhurst attended both the Trail/Castlegar 1996 BC Summer Games and the Brandon 1997 Canada Summer Games.
The Class of 2024 will have their plaques hung on the walls of the Save on Food Memorial Centre, joining the 267 previous inductees to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RedNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-10-27 17:26:352025-10-28 16:54:59Former President and CEO Mann headlines Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame inductees with BC Games Society ties
MAPLE RIDGE, British Columbia – Langley’s Deschanel Donovan was presented the W.R. Bennett Award for Athletic Excellence on Sunday, July 21 at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games.
The W.R. Bennett Award recognizes one athlete at each BC Winter and BC Summer Games who demonstrates athletic achievement and leadership. The award was named in honour of former premier Bill Bennett, who created the BC Games in 1978. Nominations are submitted by Provincial Sport Organizations and the winner receives a $2,500 bursary.
A softball athlete for Zone 3-Fraser Valley, Donovan was recognized moments after she helped lead her team to a gold medal, pitching in the final against Zone 5-Vancouver Coastal. The presentation was made by the Honourable Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food and MLA for Abbotsford-Mission.
“I feel really good – it’s a really cool award to win and I’m very proud of myself for everything I’ve done,” Donovan told Global BC on Sunday. “I’m proud of all of [my team], we’ve all put in the work through the season and it’s come to this.”
Donovan has been a standout in her sport since she began playing a five years old. She currently plays for Fusion 2008 and the AI Bandits travel team located in the USA. Last year, she led her team to a national championship and was named Top Pitcher of the tournament. She was also a candidate for lowest ERA for the Alliance Top Tournament and named on the IDT All-Star Team. She pitches over 60 miles per hour with a current top speed of 67 miles per hour.
Her coach at the BC Games, Katelyn Ross, singles her out as a leader on the team who encourages positivity and makes time for her teammates. In her free time, Deschanel volunteers as a coach for a youth team and teaches pitching lessons.
“She works her butt off, so she’s putting in work at practices probably four to five days a week and then outside of practices as well,” said Ross. “I think the thing about her is that she has goals and ambitions and she’s really working towards those.”
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-07-24 10:16:582025-11-19 14:32:36Langley’s Deschanel Donovan wins W.R. Bennett Award in Maple Ridge
Athletes, youth coaches, and officials taking part in the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games were invited to apply for the BC Games Leadership Bursary.
Supported by Canadian Tire, this bursary aims to recognize participants under 19 years of age who have achieved in academics and sport while going above and beyond in their communities through leadership and volunteer activities.
Sixteen recipients were awarded a $1,000 bursary to support their future sport or educational pursuits.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-07-22 12:39:132025-11-19 14:32:28Sixteen Athletes Receive BC Games Leadership Bursary at 2024 BC Summer Games
CBC Radio-Canada sat down on July 11 with Caden Wong, who will be the first male to compete in artistic swimming at the BC Summer Games when he suits up at the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games from July 17-21. sport at the BC Games when he takes to the water in Maple Ridge next week
Wong was featured on On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko alongside his coach Meng Chen Pacific Wave Artistic Swim Club.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RedNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-07-12 18:20:062025-11-19 14:32:20CBC Radio-Canada Interview: First male to compete in artistic swim at B.C. Summer Games
As the weather warms up, the BC Summer Games reminds all participants and spectators to prepare and stay safe during forecasted high temperatures.
BC Summer Games is monitoring weather alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the BC Heat Alert and Response System and is prepared to respond.
In the event of a heat alert, information will be disseminated to participants through their sports and updates will be available on social media, bcsummergames.ca, and via email for families of participants. For comprehensive information on how to stay safe in the sun, please visit fraserhealth.ca/sunsafety. For information about dealing with wildfire smoke, visit the Fraser Health website.
More resources about staying prepared, identifying signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and tips for how to stay cool are available at the bottom of this page.
Stay tuned to bcsummergames.ca throughout the Games for more information in the case of heat warnings.
For more information about resources in Maple Ridge, visit MapleRidge.ca. Participants and spectators can also sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Maple Ridge at MapleRidge.ca/Alert to stay informed of heat warnings or extreme heat.
Notice how you feel and watch for signs of heat illness in those around you.
Monitor the indoor temperature.
At least 2 times a day, check in on those at risk for heat illness.
Dress for the Heat
Wear clothing that is loose-fitting, light-colored, and breathable.
Hydrate
Drink plenty of water.
Offer water often to those in your care.
Plan ahead and stay informed
Check the weather forecast and latest heat alert information.
Take it easy during the hottest times of the day.
About Heat Warnings
There are two types of heat alerts:
Heat Warning – issued when two or more consecutive days of daytime maximum temperatures are expected to reach 33°C or warmer, and nighttime minimum temperatures are expected to fall to 17°C or warmer.
Extreme Heat Alert – issued when heat warning criteria have been met and the forecast indicates that daily highs will substantively increase for three or more consecutive days.
Where to cool down in Maple Ridge
Stay cool at air-conditioned facilities, including the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre, Greg Moore Youth Centre, Albion Community Centre, Maple Ridge Library, and local malls. The location of facilities can be found at MapleRidge.ca/Facilities.
Take a splash at the City’s water parks. The location of spray parks can be found at MapleRidge.ca/SprayParks.
Once a heat warning is issued, the City will open a cooling centre at the Greg Moore Youth Centre (11925 Haney Place) from 11:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hours can be adapted depending on the temperature of the day.
For more information about heat alerts in Maple Ridge, visit the Maple Ridge website.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RedNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-07-12 13:18:342025-11-19 14:32:12Be prepared for heat at the BC Summer Games
The Guide to the Games booklet for the BC Summer Games is now available for download.
The Guide is a document produced before each BC Winter and Summer Games designed to fill participants in on everything they need to know ahead of the Games. The booklet has information on accommodation, transportation, ceremonies, the host community, and more.
Prior to the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games, online G2G Sessions open to athletes, coaches, officials, and parents provide an overview of what to expect at the Games.
The sessions are meant to help:
Increase understanding of the BC Games and the logistics of the Games.
Explore ways athletes can gain full benefit from their BC Games experience.
Provide specific information and tools to support preparation for the BC Games.
Provide practical information regarding their upcoming BC Games experience.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-06-25 14:07:282025-11-19 14:31:57Everything to know about the 2024 BC Summer Games
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It’s a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to impact the evolving Canada.
The House of Commons designated June as National Aboriginal History Month in 2009. The name was changed to National Indigenous History Month in 2017.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RedNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-06-04 15:40:512025-11-19 14:31:19Celebrating National Indigenous History Month
The BC Games Society will celebrate 50 years of competition in 2028 by returning to the roots of the Games, as original host communities Kamloops and Penticton have been announced as the hosts of the 2028 BC Winter and BC Summer Games.
The announcement was made today at a pair of events in Kamloops and Penticton. The communities were invited to apply to host through a sole bid process in recognition of their pivotal roles in shaping the history of the Games.
The BC Winter and BC Summer Games are British Columbia’s biennial celebration of sport and community, bringing together B.C.’s top emerging high-performance athletes, trained coaches, and certified officials for four days of competition. The inaugural BC Summer Games were held in Penticton in 1978 with the first BC Winter Games taking place the following year in Kamloops.
The BC Winter Games will take place in February 2028 and held primarily on Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc territory, situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation. The Games will be the fourth Games in Kamloops after the community hosted the 1979 BC Winter Games, 2006 BC Summer Games, and 2018 BC Winter Games. The bid for the 2028 Games was supported by the City of Kamloops Kamloops-Thompson School District No. 73 with Sun Peaks Resort committing as the host venue for snow events. Known internationally as Canada’s Tournament Capital, Kamloops has a strong reputation as a centre for sporting events. The community hosts well over 100 cultural and sporting events each year and offers world-class facilities, a strong athletic culture, expertly trained officials, and an enthusiastic volunteer base.
Since hosting the inaugural BC Summer Games in 1978, Penticton has played home to the 1990 BC Winter Games, 1995 BC Summer Games, and 2016 BC Winter Games. Hosted on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx People in the Okanagan Nation, the BC Summer Games will be held in July- 2028 and are supported by the City of Penticton and School District No. 67. With a strong and engaged base of over 5,000 active volunteers, Penticton is a destination for year-round events in sport and beyond. The community is home to major annual sporting events and festivals and is recognized as one of Canada’s top wine regions and tourist destinations.
The BC Games Society is the organization responsible for setting the ongoing policy and direction of the BC Winter and BC Summer Games and supporting Team BC at the Canada Games. Originally established in 1977 by the Provincial Government under the Societies Act, the Society has become a key part of athlete and sport development in the province.
The B.C. government contributes more than $2 million annually to the BC Games Society to support the BC Summer and Winter Games and Team BC. The Province recently provided an additional $2 million in 23/24 to the BC Games Society to support operations and keep the cost of the Games affordable for Host Communities and participants. This is part of $50 million invested annually by the Province into the B.C. sport sector.
Please visit www.bcgames.org for more information about the BC Games.
Quick Facts:
To date, more than 40 communities have hosted BC Winter and/or BC Summer Games.
These Games will mark the 35th BC Summer Games and 34th BC Winter Games.
The estimated economic benefit for host communities is $2 million for the summer games and $1.6 million for the winter games.
The official sport package for the Games is determined through the BC Games Society’s Core Sport Policy and will be announced in the fall of 2026.
Competitors at the Games represent eight geographic zones: Kootenays (Zone 1), Thompson-Okanagan (Zone 2), Fraser Valley (Zone 3), Fraser River (Zone 4), Vancouver-Coastal (Zone 5), Vancouver Island-Central Coast (Zone 6), North West (Zone 7) and Cariboo-North East (Zone 8).
Quotes:
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports, Lana Popham “The BC Games are a celebration of sport and community, providing positive sport experiences for youth while generating social and economic benefits to B.C. communities. Bringing these games back to Kamloops and Penticton highlights a significant milestone and underscores the BC Games Society’s contributions to building a strong and thriving sport sector.”
President and CEO of the BC Games Society, Alison Noble “We are excited to celebrate a half century of the BC Games in 2028 and there’s no better way to do so than returning to our original hosts in Kamloops and Penticton. The 2028 BC Winter and Summer Games will be an opportunity to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of our volunteers and participants over our first 50 years, and to look ahead to the stories that are still to come beyond 2028.”
Mayor of Penticton, Julius Bloomfield “We are thrilled to welcome the BC Summer Games back to Penticton as the event marks 50 years of celebrating athletics and community. The ethos that was created back in 1978 of providing opportunities for athletes to develop, bringing communities together and sparking a life-long commitment to healthy living is alive and well in Penticton. We’re known as being a community that embraces competition at all levels across a broad spectrum – and for a spirit that infuses all those events with energy and passion. We’re looking forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, trainers and supporters in 2028.”
Chief of the Penticton Indian Band Chief, Greg Gabriel “As stewards of our heritage and advocates for celebrating all athletes, volunteers and organizers, we at PIB are honoured to welcome the BC Summer Games once again, marking five decades of athletic excellence and community building. This milestone not only celebrates the rich sporting legacy but also underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity, resilience and healthy living.”Deputy Mayor of Kamloops, Kelly Hall “We are extremely proud to be selected as the host for the 2028 BC Winter Games. Kamloops is synonymous with event hosting, and we look forward to welcoming athletes from across the province to Canada’s Tournament Capital.”
MEDIA CONTACT
David Conlin Marketing and Communications Manager BC Games Society davidc@bcgames.org/ O: 250.356.5254
Website FAQs
How can communities bid to host the BC Winter and Summer Games? All communities will be invited to bid for the 2030 BC Winter and Summer Games when the process opens in early 2027. More than 40 communities from every region of B.C. have already played host to the Games since 1978. From 2010 to 2026 alone, hosts will represent seven of the eight BC Games geographical zones, demonstrating the far-reaching impact that the Games continue to have on communities across the province.
Why were Kamloops and Penticton chosen to host the BC Games in 2028? The 2028 BC Winter and BC Summer Games will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the BC Games and we are excited to recognize the occasion by returning to our first host communities. Penticton hosted the inaugural BC Summer Games in 1978 and Kamloops the inaugural BC Winter Games in 1979.
What sports will be in the BC Games in 2028? The official sport package for each BC Winter and Summer Games is determined through the BC Games Society’s Core Sport Policy and will be announced in the fall of 2026. Each accredited Provincial and Disability Sport Organization (PSO and DSO) has the opportunity to demonstrate how the BC Games fit into their sport development plans and how they use the Games as an integral part of their athlete, coach, and officials’ development models. Sports are granted inclusion into one Games and are evaluated against the Core Sport policy after the Games to determine their inclusion in the next Games.
Will there be an opportunity to invest in local sport infrastructure (venues etc.) ahead of the Games?
In 2017, the BC Games Society created the Powering Potential Fund as a vehicle to strategically invest in projects that further the development of athletes, teams, sport organizations and communities in B.C.
A program from the Penticton 1978 BC Summer Games, the first-ever BC Games.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/RedNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-05-27 15:03:142025-11-19 14:31:132028 Host Cities Announced as BC Games Return to Roots for 50th Anniversary
Maple Ridge, BC (April 17, 2024) – On Saturday, April 27 the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games torch will be lit, and the countdown will begin! The athletes, coaches and officials will arrive in Maple Ridge on July 17 and the competition will run from July 18 through to July 21.
“I’d like to invite the community to come down to Memorial Peace Park, specifically to the east side of the Bandstand, at 11:45 am to get settled for the Torchllighting Ceremony that will begin at noon,” said Laura Butler, President, Maple Ridge 2024 BC Games Society.
The Torchlighting event on April 27 marks 82 days until it is officially ignited as part of the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Opening Ceremony on July 18.
“On July 17 over 3000 athletes, coaches, and officials from around BC will converge on Maple Ridge to celebrate competition and community as we host the BC Summer Games. We’ve already signed up over 400 volunteers and this past weekend we visited all the local venues preparing for the competitions that will be happening in and around our city. The excitement is building, and this torch lighting is the next milestone on the journey to the games,” added Butler.
Taryn Stephenson, Director of Ceremonies & Special Events, for the Games noted, “A huge thank you to the Haney Farmers Market for sharing the park with us for the torchlighting. The ceremony will include the signature sounds of the Maple Ridge Concert Band, some brief speeches, and of course the lighting of the torch. Many Games Directors and Chairs will also be on hand to answer questions about how to get involved.”
Over 2500 volunteers are needed to join Team Maple Ridge and help deliver an exceptional Games experience.
Bring the family and be part of this milestone moment as the City of Maple Ridge counts down the days to the 2024 BC Summer Games.
Memorial Peace Park is located on 224 Street in downtown Maple Ridge between Lougheed Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road. The Bandstand is in the centre of the park, east of the Cenotaph. Parking is available underground, and the first hour is free.
If you would like to be a BC Summer Games volunteer, please visit www.bcsummergames.ca or come visit us at the Torchlighting Ceremony for more information.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-04-19 12:30:072025-11-19 14:31:06Torchlighting Ceremony Begins Official Countdown to Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games
National Volunteer Week, happening April 14-20, is a time to celebrate the integral contributions that volunteers make to the well-being of our communities. The 2024 theme ‘Every Moment Matters’ highlights exactly that sentiment, from the moment a volunteer commits their time, to all they do – every moment they give to an organization makes a difference.
“From July 17 to 21, 2024, Maple Ridge will host 2,782 athletes, 566 coaches and 375 officials from across BC. The motto for the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games is ‘Celebrating Competition & Community’ reflecting the over 2,500 volunteers that we’re recruiting to deliver an exceptional Games experience for our guests this Summer,” said Laura Butler, President of the Games.
She continues, “Maple Ridge’s volunteers bring their skills, expertise, and passion to every aspect of life in our community. From sports to the arts, faith organizations, service clubs and charity organizations, there’s no one in our community that’s not enriched by the investment in time that local volunteers make in Maple Ridge. On behalf of our Society, we’d like to say thank you to all the volunteers in our community for making Maple Ridge great.”
The Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Society volunteer recruitment drive is now live at www.bcsummergames.ca for both games time and planning positions. Sports enthusiast? Community advocate? Just looking for fun things to do? Whatever your skill set, if you’re interested in volunteering, we have a spot for you!
“There is a huge variety of roles that we need to fill to create ‘Team Maple Ridge’. From food service to accommodation, transportation, warehousing to events and marketing, there’s a place for all ages and abilities to bring your passion to this incredible event,” said Heidi Einhorn, the Games Director of Participant & Volunteer Services.
“One of the things that we saw during our visit to the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games was the sense of community pride among the volunteers that we interacted with over the days of the competition. That’s the inspiration behind our Games slogan – ‘Celebrating Competition & Community.’ For five days in July, all of us who are volunteers will surround the athletes, coaches and officials to ensure that they have an incredible athletic competition and that when they head home, they remember the kindness and hospitality of all the volunteers,” said Heidi.
If you are interested in being a volunteer for the Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games you can go to www.bcsummergames.ca and follow the links to the online sign up. Once you register, your name will be sent out to Directorate teams in your preferred area, and they will reach out to you to confirm what your availability is before and during the BC Summer Games. Athletes, coaches, and Games officials will be arriving on July 17 and the competitions and special events will run from July 18 to 21.
Look for Games recruitment out in the community over the next couple of months including at the 2024 Ridge Meadows Home Show on May 3, 4 and 5 where the Games will be co-located with the City of Maple Ridge. You can sign up on location at this event.
“A volunteer recognition event will be held on Sunday, July 21 once our guests have departed back to their homes across BC,” said Laura Butler. “I know, from personal experience, the tight bond that’s formed when you come together with neighbours to put on an event like the BC Summer Games. I think that ‘Team Maple Ridge’ will be one of the great legacies of this event. As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, please join us in delivering and incredible Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games experience.”
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-04-10 12:18:292025-11-19 14:31:02Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Society Celebrates Volunteer Week
