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 Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games take place July 17-21, 2024, and over 3120 athletes, coaches, and officials are set to participate.
The participants hail from across the province, representing 177 communities and all 87 constituencies. The 2430 athletes will compete in 22 different sports and are supported by 482 coaches and 213 officials, who have earned both sport-specific and Safe Sport certification to ensure a competitive and safe environment for athletes.
“We are excited that participants from every corner of the province will have a chance to come together and experience the BC Summer Games,” said Alison Noble, BC Games Society President and CEO. “Volunteers have been hard at work with planning for more than a year as Maple Ridge gets set to put on a unique celebration of sport during their 150th anniversary.”
The full participant list, including a breakdown by sport and community, can be accessed below. The list and numbers are subject to change up until end of day on July 17.
The Maple Ridge Games are the 33rd iteration of the Summer Games. The event is taking place on traditional territory of the Katzie (q̓ic̓əy̓) First Nation and Kwantlen (qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓) First Nation. Volunteers from the host community have been preparing for the last 18 months to welcome participants and put on a celebration of community and sport. Over 1,100 local volunteers have already signed up to support attendees at Games time.
The BC Winter and BC Summer Games have been the starting point for many athletes who have gone on to higher levels of sport. Many Olympians and Paralympians have attended the Games, including Julia Grosso (soccer), Brent Hayden (swimming), Bo Hedges (wheelchair basketball), Maidon Mailey (rowing), and Maple Ridge’s own Karina LeBlanc (soccer).
For more information about the BC Summer Games please visit bcsummergames.ca. For a full list of sports in the 2024 BC Summer Games, visit our website.
This year’s Games in Maple Ridge mark the 33rd BC Summer Games and the third time that the community has hosted the Games (Ridge Meadows 1998 BC Summer Games and Maple Ridge 1983 BC Summer Games).
To date, 42 communities have hosted BC Winter and/or BC Summer Games.
Competitors 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).
2024 BC Summer Games participants will compete in 3×3 basketball, artistic swimming, athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, box lacrosse, canoe/kayak, equestrian, field lacrosse golf, rowing, rugby, sailing, soccer, softball, swimming, towed water sports, triathlon, ultimate, volleyball, and wrestling. Athletes with disabilities compete in athletics-Special Olympics, canoe/kayak-Paddle All, equestrian-para, swimming-para, and swimming-Special Olympics events.
More than 380,000 participants and volunteers have taken part in BC Winter and BC Summer Games over the past 46 years.
Key Dates for the 2024 BC Summer Games
Opening Ceremony: Thursday, July 18
Competitions: Thursday, July 18 until noon Sunday, July 21
PARTICIPANT LIST
To find out who is registered for the 2024 BC Summer Games, look at the Participant List, which is now available online and searchable by city, sport, and name.
To search participants by community: Step 1: Choose Maple Ridge 2024 BC Summer Games Step 2: Choose List of all Participants Step 3: Choose All from the Sport drop down list (bottom of the list) Step 4: Choose the community from the dropdown list
Click Submit
PLEASE NOTE: The Participant List and numbers are subject to change until the close of the Accreditation at 11:59 pm on July 17.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-07-05 12:55:372025-11-19 14:32:06BC Summer Games to welcome participants from every corner of the province
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
On June 21, we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, a chance to recognize the history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.
Indigenous contributions and leadership are core elements of the BC Games. The work and achievements of Indigenous athletes, coaches, officials, and communities have played a major role in making the BC Games the celebration of community and sport that it is today. Through our partnership with I SPARC, the BC Games Society is committed to developing and ensuring meaningful opportunities for Indigenous participants at the BC Games and Canada Games.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-06-21 16:18:402025-11-19 14:31:34National Indigenous Peoples Day
Volunteer Recruitment for the BC Summer Games continues and as of the beginning of June over 800 people have signed up. The Games will run from Wednesday, July 17 through to Sunday, July 21 and our community will welcome over 3000 youth athletes, their coaches, and officials from around BC to compete in 22 sports at 20+ venues in Maple Ridge and surrounding communities.
“Our Games Directors and Chairs have been out at community events raising awareness and sharing information on how residents can join Team Maple Ridge and help deliver a first-rate experience for our guests from around BC,” said Games President Laura Butler.
“Our volunteers are working through the lists of people who have registered to make contact to help choose the areas they want to work in. That’s the first step in getting them ready for their volunteer experience. Volunteer schedules will be developed a bit closer to the Games as we lock down the timing for competitions, meals, and transportation,” she added.
“As we move closer to the Games there are some areas where we are looking to sign up and assign volunteers as early as possible so we can do training and orientation sessions,” said Heidi Einhorn, Director of Participant & Volunteer Services. “At this point in our recruitment campaign, we’re highlighting opportunities on our Access Control, Accommodation and Food Services Teams to ensure the safety and comfort of all the Games participants.”
Here’s some details on roles that we’re looking to fill and important information on what’s happening behind the scenes:
Access Control
The term ‘Access Control’ is a fancy way of talking about event security. This team is looking for people who will work at venues to manage access points for spectators and athletes, provide support for the transportation team to make sure that bus traffic and the Games officials can move in and out of the sites smoothly and provide support at the accommodation sites.
Some of these positions will require security clearances and are well suited to young people who are thinking of a career in law enforcement and security or retired and semi-retired citizens who have security experience.
There will be a variety of shifts during the day and some shifts available for folks that like to work late in the evening or early mornings.
Accommodation
Athletes and coaches will be housed at a dozen local schools, and we need have 24-hour support at each of these sites to control access to the dorm areas and provide support for the athletes at their accommodation sites. The accommodation team is looking for people who may be familiar with a school site such as PAC parents, teachers, school admin staff and retired or semi-retired professionals in these fields. Older students are also being encouraged to fill these roles as part of their volunteer hour requirements for their Grade 12 graduation.
Food Services
During the Games the team will make and serve close to 40,000 meals. The team will consist of people who are preparing the meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, and people to help serve and clean up after the meals.
If you have some experience or education in food preparation this is a great opportunity to flex your skills and be part of the kitchen team. There will be a crew dedicated to making sandwiches and lunches that will be delivered to the venues each day in addition to the breakfast and dinner teams. This is a great opportunity for a service club or church group to work as a team to impress our guests.
Other Roles
There’s a job for every age and capacity. For example, there will be a team that works intensively to accredit the athletes, coaches, and officials on Wednesday, July 17 as they flow through Planet Ice out to their accommodations. Once accreditation is complete, they can sign on other roles helping to deliver the Opening Ceremony, act as a host at a sport venue, work as a shuttle driver for the fleet of donated cars or help organize medal presentations at the 20+ sport venues. There are many roles we need to fill.
Once registered your information is sent to the Volunteer Management Chair for the area that you selected. Like you, they are volunteers, and they are working through the lists to make contact by email or on the phone to determine your availability and interest in filling certain roles.
We appreciate your patience as we work through these lists and make that initial contact. The Games will run from Wednesday, July 17 through to Sunday, July 21. If you can look at your calendar and determine what times you are available, that will help the Volunteer Management Chair when they develop their schedules later in June and the beginning of July.
Once the Games get underway there are a variety of volunteer shifts driven by the competition schedules, special events and some of the ongoing activities such as security, transportation, and food prep, that will have overnight or early shifts. The Volunteer Management Chairs will work with volunteers to fill these shifts. As details will be firmed up in the next couple of weeks you can expect to get more information on your Games volunteer schedules.
“This is a huge undertaking, and we know that our volunteers will help us deliver a first-rate and memorable event for the participants. I know from personal experience that you will make new friends as you meet other volunteers and that we will all come away with incredible memories of the 2024 BC Summer Games,” said Games President Butler.
“Please go online and get signed up as soon as possible. Ask your friends and family to do so as well and volunteer together! Join Team Maple Ridge and let’s show BC the hospitality and passion we all share for this community,” she concluded.
https://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/OrangeNews.png563509BC Games Societyhttps://bcgames.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bc-games-logo.svgBC Games Society2024-06-06 14:41:182025-11-19 14:31:26Volunteer Recruitment Continues for Maple Ridge 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
