Seven days of competition, lifelong memories

The City of Thompson and 1,500 young athletes from across Manitoba are still feeling the energy from an enormously successful Manitoba Winter Games, powered by Manitoba Hydro.

Held in Thompson and nearby Mystery Mountain Park from March 1 to March 7, the games involved 300 coaches and managers, 100 officials, 750 volunteers and even more family members in attendance.

The event was the first Manitoba Winter Games since 2018, which were also powered by Manitoba Hydro. The summer and winter versions of the games represents one of our largest community sponsorships.

Jeff Betker, Manitoba Hydro’s Vice-President, External & Indigenous Relations, Environment and Communications, was one of the guest speakers during opening ceremonies on March 1. “Supporting the Manitoba Winter Games connects communities,” he said. “We love to see athletes and volunteers come together from across Manitoba to build relationships and foster sportsmanship.”

In addition to the financial sponsorship that supports the Manitoba Winter Games, our employees were part of the team of volunteers giving back to their community in the hub of the north.

“Whether we’re awarding medals or helping out in the stands, it brings a lot of joy to pitch in,” said Alexis LaForest, Supervisor of Community Investment at Manitoba Hydro. “These athletes have worked hard to represent their skills and their communities. We’re proud to support them and we’re proud to deliver the energy that brings us together.”

Curtis Huculak was one of many Hydro employees in Thompson involved with the event. “I volunteered for the Manitoba Games and I have one daughter who was actually in the games for figure skating,” he said. “A lot of staff from Manitoba Hydro volunteered and participated, and yes, we were very excited to have the games in Thompson. It was a huge boost for the community.”

Along with competing in figure skating, Harlow Huculak said she enjoyed meeting other athletes. “We got to stay in the athlete’s village at our high school, with a whole bunch of different athletes from all over,” she said. “It was fun.”

With an impressive games venue that had the athlete’s village (R.D. Parker Collegiate), C.A. Nesbitt and Gordon Beard Arenas, the Burntwood Curling Club and the University College of the North campus all within a few minutes’ walking distance from each other, Thompson proved to be an ideal location for such a large athletic event.

Eloria Marion works for Hydro in Thompson and presented gymnastics medals. She is a former gymnast who served as a gymnastics coach when the Manitoba Games were held in Thompson in 1994.

As a lifelong Thompson resident – born and raised – she said the Manitoba Games were tremendously positive for both athletes and the community.
“This was great for the athletes. The kids got to have fun, make new friends and showcase their skills in the sports they love,” she said. “It’s huge for the city financially. People came to Thompson and saw a different aspect of the community that will hopefully entice them to come back again.”

The Manitoba Games are every two years and alternate between summer and winter. The games are the largest ongoing multi-sport events in the province. Young athletes travel from across Manitoba to compete against top-tier provincial competition and get a glimpse of what it takes to reach national and international stages.

“Thompson showed us all what it was like to ‘play together.’ The hospitality was exceptional and the vibe was always warm and welcoming,” said Kathleen Hodgson, our Community Investment Specialist who worked closely with organizers to coordinate Hydro’s involvement with the games.

“This was a multi-sport event with people going in a hundred different directions but you would never know there was anything but capability at the helm of it all. The whole community can truly be proud of what they have done: given lifelong memories to athletes and their families.”