With Lloydminster scheduled to host the Saskatchewan Summer Games in 2024, Teine Energy (pronounced: Tine) has been announced as the presenting games sponsor by the local organizing committee.
The Calgary-based company which has Saskatchewan roots is giving $100,000 in funding to the week-long event.
President and CEO Jayson Denney says its foundational to support the communities which supported them as they built the company.
“It’s wonderful to be able to give back to the entire province in a way that helps youth and sport – which I think is really important for young people and their experience. Testing themselves and building their own leadership as they enter adulthood.”
Executive director of the Saskatchewan Games Council, Mark Bracken noted that the cost to host the games is in the region of $2 million.
Some 1,800 young athletes from across Saskatchewan will compete in Lloydminster in 15 sport disciplines including Archery, Athletics, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Canoe Kayak, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Special Olympics – Bocce, Swimming, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball, and Wheelchair Basketball.
Co-chair of the Lloydminster organizing committee Wendy Plandowski speaks about the next steps for the planning team.
“We’ve got Wheelchair Basketball happening here at Servus Sports Centre. We’re doing Beach Volleyball as well. So, we have added some non-traditional sports to the realm of offering – in addition to culture. We have got Gwen Mottram heading up culture again and there’s going to be so many different aspects to the experience that the families, athletes, coaches and volunteers will have next July.”
With the last summer games having been hosted in 2016 – due the break caused by the COVID pandemic, Mayor Gerald Aalbers in noting Lloydminster’s history of hosting events spoke of the pride this will instill in the community as the province will see the rising potential of future star performers.
“This is the opportunity to leave their legacy as young people going forward. These athletes that participate in the Saskatchewan Summer Games often compete in the Canadian Games and then go on to represent our country at the Olympics. So, this is a very monumental start.”
The Saskatchewan Summer Games are slated for July 21-27, 2024, in Lloydminster.