December 7, 2009 – Thanks to funding from the Federal and Provincial governments, Thunder Bay’s Olympic Torch Relay and Community Celebration will be an event to remember. At a media conference today, MPP Bill Mauro’s Office announced $35,000 in funding to host the Community Celebration and the contribution of a headlining performance by national recording artist Justin Hines. The City, one of just four across northern Ontario selected by the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Committee to host a Community Celebration, also received $15,000 from the Federal government toward the event Sunday, Jan. 3.
“The McGuinty Government is thrilled to support the City of the Thunder Bay as a host celebration community for the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, by providing funding in the amount of $35, 000," said MPP Bill Mauro, Thunder Bay-Atikokan. "This funding will enhance our City's ability to put on a first class event, providing an opportunity for Thunder Bay to celebrate the achievements of all our athletes - past, present and future.”
Mayor Lynn Peterson thanked the Federal and Provincial governments for their contributions to the quality and accessibility of Thunder Bay’s Community Celebration.
“Thunder Bay is thrilled to welcome the Olympic Torch and the Community Celebration will be an event to remember that showcases Thunder Bay’s talent and Olympic spirit,” said Mayor Lynn Peterson. “As a community we have a long and strong history of sport and I think that energy will be felt by all when Thunder Bay’s Olympic Cauldron is lit by none other than our own Olympic Gold Medalist, Katie Weatherston. We are thrilled that she will be our final torchbearer.”
“To be selected as the City’s final torchbearer is a great honour,” said Katie Weatherston who won Olympic Gold with Canada’s women’s hockey team in 2006 at Torino, Italy. “I am so proud of my hometown and to be included in this historical event will impact me for the rest of my life. Thank you to the City of Thunder Bay – I am humbled by this opportunity and look forward to representing our City.”
Thanks to the funding received, Thunder Bay’s celebration will include a full day of free activities beginning at 1 pm, including family swimming, diving demonstrations and clinics at the Canada Games Complex, family skating and a Thunder Bay Women’s Hockey exhibition game at the Port Arthur Arena, and Nordic ski demonstrations and clinics at Norwester Park along with performances by many local entertainers.
Performers were selected following an open Call for Talent this fall and will include:
From 3-5:30 pm inside the Community Auditorium
- Thunder Bay Pipes & Drums
- International Dance Academy
- Le Chœur des Anges de Franco-Supérieur
- Tracey K
- The Thunder Bay Youth Big Band
- Roy Coran’s Big Band
- Shy-Anne Horvorka, and
- Mark Potvin Blues Trio
From 6-8 pm on the outdoor Olympic Stage
- Thunder Bay Mountain Singers
- Rodney Brown,
- Peng You Taiji Quan Association,
- Ellia Heroux,
- Billy Manzik, and
- Special guest Justin Hines.
The Community Celebration will conclude at 8:05 pm with a fireworks show.
As Canada’s longest-standing supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1947, RBC is a Premier National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and proud to bring the Olympic Spirit to communities across Canada as presenting partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay. RBC offered Canadians a chance to participate in the Olympic celebrations and proudly announced the individual selected as their final community Torchbearer.
“We are pleased to announce Bob Edwards as a 2010 Olympic Torchbearer and recognize that his commitment will help build a lasting legacy for Thunder Bay and for Canada,” said Murray Walberg, Regional Vice President RBC. “Bob is an inspiration to us all and demonstrates how each of us can make a difference.”
"The Olympic Torch Relay represents a real connection to the Olympic Games in Vancouver-Whistler,” said Bob Edwards, RBC’s final Torchbearer. “The thousands of active volunteers and sponsors for all sports in Thunder Bay can be proud of their contribution to the courage and success of our Candadian athletes. It is exciting to realize that the Olympic Torch Relay will not just pass a flame through our community; it is THE very flame that represents so much to sport around the world. To be chosen to be a torch-bearer is an amazing honour.”
Approximately 12,000 Canadians will carry the Flame across the country with millions more cheering and supporting them. The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began its journey to Vancouver on Oct. 30. The flame arrived in Victoria following a traditional lighting ceremony in Greece. The Olympic Flame will travel from coast to coast to coast through every province and territory in Canada – spanning 45,000 kilometers and over 1,000 communities over the course of 106 days. It will end at B.C. Place on Feb. 12, 2010, with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Parking around the Community Celebration on Jan. 3 will be extremely limited. The City is offering free shuttles to the event from 4-6 pm from Lakehead University off Balmoral Street and from Intercity Mall near Zellers. Shuttles will return after the event.
The Torch Relay continues on Jan. 4 at 8:30 am at Fort William First Nation and at 8:50 am at Bombardier Transportation before making its way through southwest Thunder Bay and on to Kakabeka Falls. Torch Relay Routes will be announced Dec. 21.
The City of Thunder Bay is looking for adult volunteers to assist with the Torch Relay and activities. Anyone who is interested should contact the Recreation & Culture Division at 625-3169.
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Contact: Doug Henry, Supervisor – Recreation & Culture Division, 625-2487, cell: 627-9416.
