After securing the city’s support days before the deadline, the Prince George Water Lilies (PGWL) will get to see the nation’s best-of-the-best in their sport.
The local artistic swim club has won the bid as one of the host cities for Canada’s Olympic artistic swim team to train and practice in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.
“Artistic Swimming is a recent addition to Prince George, with the current club celebrating its seventh season,” said Water Lilies President and Head Coach Nicole Barager in a statement. “Having the highest level caliber athletes train and perform in our city would provide incredible exposure for our sport in northern B.C. and the surrounding communities and, additionally, draw potential athletes to try a sport they didn’t know existed. This opportunity is truly immeasurable to our local club and the sport of artistic swimming in Prince George.”
.@CanadaArtSwim has named Prince George as 1 of 3 stops for its Olympic training camp in preparation for Tokyo 2020 🏊♀️ The Water Lilies Swim Club secured city funds & support in August to rent P.G. Aquatic Centre for the national team 🇨🇦 | #CityOfPG @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/GG3GfJ54M9
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 30, 2019
Barager presented the bid to Prince George city council at its Aug. 19 public meeting, explaining they needed some money to help with renting the Aquatic Centre.
Council voted unanimously to give the Water Lilies the near $1,900 they needed for the rental as she explained the sport, formerly known as synchronized swimming, is gaining ground in B.C.’s north.
“Some people don’t understand it simply because it doesn’t get enough exposure that swimming does, that gymnastics does, or that hockey does,” said Barager when asked by PrinceGeorgeMatters on Aug. 19 about the current perspective of the sport. “They think my [Water Lily] athletes are not athletes. By watching someone who is at the level of an Olympian compete, you’re going to see that they’re beyond athletes and they make it look easy because they have to make it look easy.”
The successful bid also means Prince George’s club was able to secure food and accommodation requirements before the Aug. 31 submission deadline.
"Our next steps are to finalize details within the schedule, facilities, and accommodations," Barager explains to PrinceGeorgeMatters. "PGWL will also continue to look for sponsorships to help with hosting costs. We’re very fortunate to have the City of Prince George, Tourism P.G., Yellowhead Road and Bridge and Lo and Elliott Orthodontics aiding us in making this a wonderful experience for everyone involved."
As per Canada Artistic Swimming, the Water Lilies is one of three teams across the country that won the right to host as part of the organization’s 11-month training plan for Tokyo next August.
Prince George will be the first stop for the Olympians from Oct. 22 to 26.
The other two host cities are Winnipeg, Man. and St. John’s, N.L.
