Kelowna

The 2010 Winter Olympics are coming to the Central Okanagan -- at least the torch is.

The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay route was unveiled Friday and the Okanagan is part of the route.

The torch will travel through Summerland, Peachland and Westside before making a lengthy stop in Kelowna Monday, January 25, 2010, just 18 days before the start of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler.

The relay will reach Kelowna late in the afternoon, with an elaborate celebration planned for that day.

The torch will stay in Kelowna overnight before heading north to Vernon the next morning.

"This is a great opportunity for the residents of Kelowna to be part of the excitement of the 2010 Olympics," says Kelowna Mayor, Sharon Shepherd in making the announcement.

The city will form a Community Task Force, to plan and host a community celebration around the arrival of the torch.

City Council will be providing some of the funds for the party. How much money has not yet been determined.

Shepherd says details of where a celebration will take place and who will participate will also be determined at a later date.

The torch will also pass through the District of Westside en route to Kelowna.

Mayor, Rosalind Neis, was excited to receive the news Friday.

“I am so pleased to hear our community is part of the route of this historic event. I encourage all residents to come out and cheer the flame as it passes through, or apply to be a torch bearer,” says Neis.

“The Torch Relay will connect all Canadians and I know Westside residents will be excited to participate in this journey.”

The torch relay will begin October 30 in Victoria. It will travel 45,000 kilometres, reaching about 1,000 communities across the country.

Local residents wishing to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay can get more information from www.rbc.com/carrythetorch or at www.icoke.ca.

Link: Link to RBC Carry the Torch Link: Link to iCoke