Halifax games had lessons for Prince George

The 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax set the bar high for Prince George, according to local delegates who attended the games.

Anthony Everett, chairman of the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society, said being at the games was an inspiring situation.

"The thing that left the most impression was the quality of the staff and volunteers they had. The passion they had to put on the games was incredible," Everett said. "[And] the quality of the athletics was unbelievable. I wish I had better words to express how special it was, and how amazing it will be for this city."

The size, complexity and importance of the games hit home for Everett once he was there, he said.

"This is Canada that is coming to our doors in a couple of years," he said. "[But] I'm 100 per cent positive, having been there, that we can put this on."

The Halifax host society staff --a total of 60 employees at the time of the games -- played a critical role in organizing the efforts of 6,000 volunteers, he said.

Hiring a CEO for the games is one of the top priorities for the society, he said.

"We're very close to naming a nationwide search firm," he said. "By May we hope to name someone."

City councillor Shari Green said she was impressed by the co-ordination between the City of Halifax, which owns many of the sports venues, and the host society.

"Everybody went above and beyond -- it was incredible," Green said. "The volunteers are the key to it all. It's important that we have those people engaged and ready to work."

Green focused on the athlete's housing aspect of the games. Halifax housed athletes in hotels around the city -- the same approach is planned here.

"It has raised the bar in terms of what the athletes expect," Green said. "The number one thing to know is that the athletes are safe and secure. The games includes athletes as young as 12, and hotels are open to the public."

In Halifax, the host hotels had athlete-only floors with security at the elevators, she said. Only accredited visitors were allowed on the athlete floors.

Tracy Calogheros, who took part in the bid committee and transition team, said she is confident Prince George has what it takes to host the games.

"I did a whirlwind tour of the venues while I was there. I think we're as good or better in a lot of ways," Calogheros said. "But there are areas we need work."

The addition of a halfpipe at Tabour Mountain and upgrades to the Kin Centre will position the city well to host the high-calibre sporting events, she said.

"I think our curling facility is better. And the ringette facility wasn't as good as any of the arenas here," Calogheros said. "[But] it was fabulously organized. They talked about this venue management team model. It seemed very effective to me."

Rather than trying to manage the venues centrally, each venue had a team on the ground who could make decisions and respond to changing conditions, she said.

However, Calogheros said she was underwhelmed by the community presence of the games in Halifax.

"I arrived the night before the games, late at night. But I was surprised by the lack of pageantry," she said. "Our cab drivers will know about the games. We'll have signage up. People here are excited about the games, and it's four years out."

However, she said, once the games began the spirit was infectious.

"You couldn't find anyone in Halifax, by the end of the games, that wasn't thrilled they had held them."