Greater Vernon BC Winter Games looking for hundreds of volunteers

Photo: Darren Handschuh

A rally was held at the Vernon recreation complex Thursday to encourage people to volunteer for the Greater Vernon BC Winter Games.

One of the biggest sporting events to ever come to Vernon is happening next year, and volunteers are needed to make it happen.

The Greater Vernon BC Winter Games will bring some 1,500 athletes to the North Okanagan and on Thursday a rally was held at the recreation complex to encourage volunteers to sign up.

Games president Nicky Dunlop said up to 2,000 volunteers are needed for the games that will be held March 23-26.

Dunlop said people can sign up for a wide range of volunteer duties and can offer their time for a single day, or multiple days.

Dunlop said it is hard to nail down the exact number of volunteers that are needed, but the more who sign up, the better.

“We do want to get as many registered as soon as we can so we can start working on our shifts and we know people's availability,” said Dunlop.

People can sign up online, or find more information on the games' Facebook page.

And Dunlop said she has faith that Vernon residents will come through and make the games a success.

“Vernon is an awesome community and I really think that for the last couple of years it's been hard to volunteer with COVID and I think people are ready to get back out there and get involved,” she said.

Included on the games are Alpine skiing, archery, badminton, biathlon, curling, figure skating, judo, karate and numerous other events.