They say time flies when you're having fun and, if that's the case, the Airdrie 2020 Alberta Winter Games Committee must be having a bunch of fun as the games get closer and closer.  

Time seems to be flying by for Board Chair Shauna Quinn and the rest of the Directors with the games set for February 14th to 17th, 2020.  Quinn explains they've been preparing for over a year and starting this month comes, "the fun part."

"That includes the sponsorship drive, some of the pageantry, some of the creative elements and cultural elements that we're putting together for Airdrie so that the residents and businesses of Airdrie can also be part of the games that really celebrate what's coming to town in a year's time."

The games are expected to attract 2,800 young athletes between the ages of 11 and 17 who'll participate in 19 sports disciplines, some you would expect to see in a winter games, some, like synchronized swimming, that you wouldn't.

Along with those 2,800 athletes will come more than 3,000 coaches, officials, support staff, friends and family.  More than 6,000 visitors to the city in a single weekend will provide a huge economic boost to Airdrie, something Quinn says they plan to keep track of.

"We're already talking with the hotels, with the airport, with the bus transportation, with some of the restaurants so we can be prepared to host over 6,000 visitors just in that one weekend.  We've looked at stats from both the summer games and the winter games and previous summer games that were held here in Airdrie.  We know the number is sitting at $3.4 million.  We're actually going to be looking at doing an economic impact study as a projection and then an on the ground report as the games happen here.  That's so the city can have a better understanding of what kind of economic impact and social impact the games have to our city."

Right now the committee is seeking sponsors for the games, or Sport Champions as they call them.  Quinn says to be a sponsor doesn't mean you have to be a large business with an equally large budget.

"We divided our sponsorship out into categories so people can get involved into something that feels right for them.  It's not just our handout asking for some funding, it's really being focused on what's important to them with our community in Airdrie.  There are lots of different opportunities for people to get involved and lots of different price points that we feel are reflective of where our economic situation is right now, but also make sure that it gives back to the sponsor, not just our funding needs."

If someone wants to become involved with the games as a sponsor, Quinn says you can simply email, sponsors@airdrie2020.com to get more information or stop by their office on Main Street. 

The games will also need plenty of volunteers as the dates approach. You can email info@airdrie2020.com and get more details on the volunteer positions tht are needed.   

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