By CARMEL PARSONS
The Log

When the topic of the Canada Games is broached in the future, the conversation will definitely turn to Corner Brook.

That's how Brian Theede feels about how the national multi-sport event went over the past couple of weeks.

"Believe me for years to come people will certainly be sitting around the table discussing the Games and saying, 'Remember Newfoundland in 1999.' It will always, always be there," said Theede, president of the 2003 Canada Winter Games.

Just weeks after finding out their bid was successful, the host society of the 2003 Games being held in the Chaleur region of New Brunswick were in Corner Brook getting as much information as possible from their local counterparts.

"We’re here to at look almost all aspects of the Games,"[sic] said Theede. "Wayne Trask and his VPs have been outstanding in co-operating with the VPs we brought here. They have been so open and accommodating that it is amazing what work and how much material we’ll be going back home with."

"I can’t express how happy we are…with the knowledge that we have."

It’s made for long days for Theede and his team starting at 7 a.m. with Chefs de Mission meeting; then at 8 a.m. with management meetings; and then on to committee meetings at 9 a.m. From there its meant getting to as much events and venues as possible.

"We’ve been like sponges for sure."

Theedes said the areas his team focused on included the Athletes Village, transportation system, accreditation procedures, food services, and volunteer recruitment.

"The volunteers here have been outstanding. In fact, I’m starting to believe they don’t know the word no."

When asked what he thought of how the Games went in Corner Brook, Theede simply said, "Wow!"

"These Games have been outstanding," he said. "I can honestly say that Corner Brook has set the standard… for both the Winter and Summer Games has surpassed any other previous Games."

"Corner Brook has now brought the Canada Games up one huge level. When that happens that becomes the bench-mark, everyone from hereon in must move on. I really think the Canada Games Council must be proud of these Games.

"London in 2001 and Chaleur in 2003 are shaking in their boots, saying this is the benchmark we have to reach now."

While it puts pressure on future host societies, Theede said what it really has done is bring the Canada Games up another level so that the rest of Canada are more aware of the Games.

Theede said Corner Brook will never be the same again.

"I will be back to Corner Brook this summer. And you would be surprised the people just in our little delegation that have basically said ‘I’m coming back this summer.’ I will be willing to bet that the tourism industry of Corner Brook will triple what St. John’s is because Corner Brook has been put on the map. Newfoundland and St. John’s are associated, but as a result of these Games, if you mention Newfoundland, ‘Oh Corner Brook, that’s where the Games were’."

He expects that will transpire in the Campbellton-Bathurst region as well. That’s a legacy his team wants, he said, to put the northern part of New Brunswick on the map.

The economic impact, he said, will be felt in years to come.

The New Brunswick region heard it was to host the 2003 Games on Feb. 9 and from Corner Brook, the group returned home to get knee-deep into the planning.

"You can read all the books you want and watch all the videos you want. Unless you’re here to live it, it’s the only way you can really, truly see it."

"This is huge, this is enormous."

Theede said it hasn’t been an issue selling the residents of the 2003 host region on the Games. As a matter of fact, they’ve been trying to get the Games since 1985 when New Brunswick lost the bid to Prince Edward Island.

"There has been talk of these Games for years. And finally the dream is coming true."

Source: "Corner Brook Games will be long-remembered," The Humber Log, March 10, 1999, p. 4.