March 18, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following statement was issued today by Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Charles Furey. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

In recent years the province has developed first-class sporting venues in which to host local, national and international sporting events. Just a few short weeks ago, the eyes of all Canadians were on western Newfoundland as we hosted the Canada Winter Games - the country's premiere sporting event.

The Host Society under the direction of Mr. Wayne Trask did a magnificant job in preparing the region for these Games. The feedback that I received while attending various venues during the Games was nothing short of outstanding - from the meals served at the athletes village to the superb facilities in which the athletes competed, like the Canada Games Centre.

I would also like to make reference to the athletes who were true ambassadors for our province throughout these Games. They represented the province with pride and, in fact, won the Jack Pelech Award which recognizes the province/territory whose athletes, coaches, managers and mission staff best combine competitive performances, good sportsmanship and the spirit of fair play, cooperation and friendship. Our athletes combined the true meaning of competition with record breaking results winning 19 medals, the most ever won by Team Newfoundland and Labrador at a Canada Games.

To continue to build on the reputation that the west coast has earned, government will commit in its 1999/2000 Budget: $150,000 for the World Cup Triathlon to be held in Corner Brook later this year; a second installment of $75,000 (the initial installment was committed in this current fiscal year) for a total of $150,000 for the Commonwealth Judo Championships to be held in Stephenville in 2000; and today I am announcing that the necessary funds to support the 2000 Labrador Winter Games will be made available.

The thousands of volunteers in this province have also shown that they have both the drive and ability to host first-class provincial, national and international sporting events in this province. The government is supporting these people by providing the resources to host major sporting events which have tremendous spinoff benefits for the province. I wish all the event organizers well in these endeavours. Thank you.

1999 03 18 2:20 p.m.