Brad Romaine admits there have been times where things have been overwhelming, but every time he knocks something off the to-do list he becomes more confident Deer Lake is ready to put out the welcome mat for the 2018 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games.
Typically, host centres for the provincial Games have three or four years to plan for 1,400 athletes, coaches and officials converging on the community, but Deer Lake’s host committee for the 2018 Games has only had over a year to get ready, and Romaine has only been in the Games co-ordinator role since May.
While some folks involved with the organizing may say it’s getting busier now, Romaine is quick to point out it’s actually becoming a little easier because a lot of things are starting to fall into place and there’s been a lot of support from the community when it comes to such things as volunteer recruitment and securing sponsors for the Games.
The goal is to have 500 volunteers in place, not only from Deer Lake but other west coast centres such as Pasadena, Steady Brook, Rocky Harbour and Corner Brook, who are lending a helping hand to the host committee by playing host to one of the 15 different sports being played during the Games.
So far, Romaine said, 300 people have registered as a volunteer — everyone from high school students to seniors in the town to families who want to volunteer as a group — and he’s confident more people will come forward as the Games draw closer and the host committee holds a kick-off event and a recruitment drive down the stretch.
“Six months out, you’re looking at the list of things you need to accomplish and you wonder if it’s going to be possible, but as it goes on and everything starts trickling in it starts to come together,” Romaine said.
The Games don’t happen without the injection of cash and in-kind services from businesses, not only in the town but all around the west coast, and Romaine is pleased to see support for the Games has been strong, with many businesses eager to help make the Games a memorable experience by signing on as sponsors.
“We’re still waiting on a few confirmations for some of the bigger ones, but they’re all in the works and all have been contacted,” he said.
A lot of work has to be done yet, especially when it comes to lining up entertainment and contacting a list of VIPS for both the opening and closing ceremonies, but Romaine says it’s a matter of taking it one day at a time and letting things fall into place.
“We’re definitely feeling a little more comfortable now,” he said.
2018 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games
March 10-18, 2018
Hosted by Town of Deer Lake
Sports Venues
First Half (March 10-18)
Bowling
Hodder Complex
Ages 14-18
Technical chairperson Gayle Cave
Cross-country ski
Pasadena Ski and Nature Park
Ages 11-18
Technical chairperson Will Fitzgerald
Curling
Corner Brook Curling Club
U18
Technical chairperson Laura Phillips
Gymnastics
Pentecostal Church gym
Ages 11-18
Technical chairperson Carolyn Woolgar
Hockey (Male)
Hodder Recreation Complex
Ages 13-14
Technical chairperson Arnold Kelly
Volleyball (Male)
Xavier Junior High gym
15U
Technical chairperson Finton Gaudette
Volleyball (Female)
Elwood High School gym
15U
Technical chairperson Finton Gaudette
Second Half March 14-18
Alpine ski
Marble Mountain in Steady Brook
Ages 12-18
Technical chairperson Chris Cohlmeyer
Badminton
Elwood Elementary gym
Ages 11-18
Technical chairperson Geoff Robinson
Basketball (Female)
Xavier Junior High gym
U14
Technical chairperson Judy Byrne
Basketball (Male)
Elwood High School gym
U14
Technical chairperson Judy Byrne
Figure skating
Gros Morne Arena (TBC)
Ages 11-18
Technical chairperson Keith Woodford
Hockey (Female)
Hodder Memorial Recreation Complex
Ages 13-16
Technical chairperson Debbie Bouzane
Table tennis
Pentecostal Church gym
Ages 17U/14U
Technical chairperson Kenny Curlew
Wrestling
Xavier Junior High gym
Ages 11-18
Technical chairperson Peter Petipas
