Vancouver Olympics CEO rallies Red Deer ahead of 2019 Canada Winter Games

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“My feeling is, just watching what I’ve seen so far, that this is a very competent little organization here. Volunteers seem to be very focused and inspired, and staff seem very strong.”

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Furlong used his speech to a full room at the Sheraton to inspire everyone to be a part of hosting the Games.

“I think you’re in good hands, but I promise you that the distance to the finish line is not just on them, it’s on everyone. And it shouldn’t be left to them. Everyone should look to the closing months of the games and ask themselves ‘what can I do to top up on what is being done, what role can I play?’”

Furlong says Red Deer, much like Vancouver eight years ago, will be forever changed once the 2019 Games have come and gone.

“The real legacies, I think for me, are the human ones. First of all, leaving behind this capacity to do great things and the confidence to confront whatever comes your way in the future. In a way, you kind of take the community, and if you consider the community a team, you’re just making the team stronger, and you’re filling them with this sense of being invincible, and that’s what the Games do.”

MacLean, honourary Co-chair for the 2019 Canada Winter Games along with wife Cari, agrees that the human legacy, in addition to new facilities, will be what puts Red Deer on the map.

“Paul Hogan, the actor, said you don’t go back to someone’s house because you liked the furniture, so it’s on us now to be as gracious a host as Vancouver.”

Scott Robinson, CEO for the 2019 Canada Winter Games, says having Furlong in town to share his wisdom and visit with staff was inspirational.

“I think not only gives a bit of a road map on haw things are going to go, but also gives you confidence that on the right track, and that we’re doing the right things,” said Robinson. “Even though we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, we know that it’ll be a long road yet, but [this] gives some confidence, I think our staff and our volunteers really responded with some excitement and enthusiasm.”

Tickets for the 2019 Canada Winter Games went on sale last week. Next week, organizers will unveil the entertainment lineup for its nightly festival at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Celebration Plaza.