By Sheldon Spackman

Team Alberta arrives for Canada Winter Games

Feb 14, 2019 | 1:12 PM

Team Alberta has officially arrived in Red Deer for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Over 250 athletes and coaches from 47 different communities in the province arrived by bus from Edmonton and Calgary Thursday morning and stepped out near the main entrance of the Red Deer College Arts Centre to begin their experience.

Team Alberta media liaison Guy Napert-Frenette says they were the first team to arrive at the athlete’s village this morning and everyone is excited.

“It was all smiles when they unloaded the bus and everyone is excited for an awesome two weeks of sporting events,” he says. “Everyone is excited to compete at home because it’s not an opportunity they get often. It’s a very limited amount of times you get to compete in front of your friends and family.”

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With Thursday largely being an orientation day for everyone and Friday night the opening ceremony, Napert-Frenette says the athletes are really looking forward to the games and competitions starting Saturday.

“For a lot of these athletes, these Games are going to be somewhat like a mini Olympic Games, so very much a high moment for their sporting careers,” he admits. “Overall, every sport has some strengths and every sport has some national champions and some international athletes. So for every event, it’s going to be up to the finish line.”

However, Napert-Frenette says it’s important to point-out the warm welcome and hospitality Red Deer is already showing the nation.

“The College, the hotels, it’s just been amazing,” he exclaims. “The prep team has been here for a couple days now and just to feel the excitement of Alberta and supporting our team and the fans around the area. It’s just been a tremendous welcome and we just want to note a special thank you to the people of Red Deer for hosting these Games.”

The 2019 Canada Winter Games starts Feb. 15 and runs until the Closing Ceremonies Mar. 2.