City shares 2010 shine

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 21, 2008

Olympic spirit will shine bright in the North Okanagan. Leading up to the start of the Vancouver Winter Games, the Olympic torch will pass through all local communities and stop in Vernon for a public celebration Jan. 26, 2010. “It’s going through 1,000 communities across Canada so for Vernon to be one of them is a big deal,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. Vernon is only one of 187 communities that will host an official celebration. “We are recognized as a place that can host national and international sports events and this honour confirms that,” said Lippert. It’s believed the torch will be in Vernon for about three hours and festivities are already being planned. “There will be music and we want to get students and everyone in the North Okanagan involved,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy, who is chairman of Vernon’s Spirit of B.C. committee. “And we’ve got the best venue for it — Polson Park.”

Discussions with the Vancouver Olympic Committee about hosting a celebration event have been underway for some time. “Because of the proximity between Vernon and Kelowna, we were worried they’d run right through and just stop in Kelowna,” said Jennifer Strachan, with the Spirit of B.C. committee. Beyond the formal gathering, it’s anticipated residents will line the route as the torch passes through Lake Country, Coldstream, Vernon, Spallumcheen, Lumby, the Splatsin First Nation, Enderby and Grindrod. “It’s a tremendous honour to be recognized as a torch relay community,” said Will Hansma, Spallumcheen mayor. “What’s really exciting is a lot of the people from the township will be part of the relay. It’s going to be a day to remember.” Residents interested in applying for a chance to carry the Olympic flame can register at iCoke.ca or rbc.com/carrythetorch. Each participant will carry the torch for about 300 metres. “It’s an opportunity to hold on to the flame, run with it and have pictures taken,” said Lippert.

The City of Enderby will look at how to acknowledge the passing of the torch.“It gives us an opportunity to showcase our community and to show that we’re excited about the Olympics,” said Dee Wejr, who was recently elected mayor. The 2010 Olympic torch relay will begin its 106-day Canadian journey Oct. 30, 2009 in Victoria and arrive in Vancouver Feb. 12, 2010 for the Games’ opening ceremony.