The Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, today announced that the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Games have been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The postponed 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games and the 2020 Summer Games have been rescheduled to 2024.
The Town of Bay Roberts will host the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games and the Town of Gander will host the 2024 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games.
In addition, both communities will be hosting a number of sport competitions over the next couple of years for athletes that would have been age eligible to participate in sports at the 2020 Newfoundland and Labrador Summer Games and the 2022 Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games. Both towns have been provided a one-time contribution of $40,000 from the Provincial Government to assist with hosting these events.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Games is a weeklong, provincial, multi-sport event, which alternates between winter and summer Games every two years. Hosting communities are provided $200,000 in funding from the Provincial Government to assist with operational costs associated with the Games.
The Games are delivered in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Sport NL, a host organizing committee and provincial sport organizations.
Quotes
“The past 17 months have been a difficult time for many, including athletes that have been faced with the suspension, cancellation and postponement of training, sporting events and numerous competitions. With positive progress being made to combat the pandemic, I am happy today to be able to announce the plans going forward for the upcoming Newfoundland and Labrador Games. I am excited to see what evolves with respect to planning for the series of multi-sport competitions Congratulations to Bay Roberts and Gander as they get set to host their respective Games. A special thank you to Sport NL and all the provincial sport organizations for their patience and their efforts to make it possible for both sets of Games to happen in 2024.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
“While we are disappointed to see these Games postponed due to the pandemic, we are excited to see that both Bay Roberts and Gander will have the opportunity to host in 2024. We look forward to working with the Provincial Government and both Host Communities to ensure they receive the required support needed to successfully host in 2024. We are also pleased that athletes will have the opportunity to participate either in the Games themselves in 2024 or sport competitions each community will host, as these will be valuable experiences for them.”
Chris Schwartz
President, Sport NL
˜The Town of Bay Roberts is anxiously looking forward to hosting the 2024 NL Summer Games. Despite the postponement of the games from 2020 due to the pandemic, the excitement to host remains extremely high among both residents and volunteers. Since being awarded the Games, planning and preparations have continued unabated. The goal is to showcase our community and indeed the entire area, while at the same time providing the athletes with a high degree of competition. Our ultimate hope is to create memories and first class facilities that will last a lifetime.”
Mayor Philip Wood
Town of Bay Roberts
“While we are extremely disappointed that the Games we envisioned and had started to plan for will not be able to proceed in 2022 as hoped, we understand and concur with the difficult decision to postpone them. The uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and related public health restrictions, have made it impossible to properly prepare to provide the experience the Games should represent to those who participate. We will work with the Provincial Government and Sport NL towards providing a positive experience for the affected young people who will be deprived of a full Newfoundland and Labrador Games experience in 2022 due to these unprecedented circumstances, and we look forward to hosting the full-scale Games experience in 2024.”
Mayor Percy Farwell
Town of Gander
“The difficult decision to postpone the Summer Games will be disappointing for the many athletes, families and supporters who have been training and working hard, however the health and safety of our community remains our priority. As MHA, I am extremely confident that the town, local residents and volunteer base of Bay Roberts and surrounding areas will be ready to safely and proudly host this incredible event in 2024.”
Honourable Pam Parsons
Minister of the Office of Women and Gender Equality and MHA for Harbour Grace – Port de Grave
“COVID-19 has disrupted all aspects of our lives for the last year and a half, including sporting events. As MHA, I thank the Town of Gander for their understanding and willingness to move forward with the Newfoundland and Labrador Winter Games in 2024. I am also pleased that opportunities will exist for young athletes to compete in the interim and not miss the chance to showcase their talent, hard work and dedication in both summer and winter sports.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Health and Community Services and MHA for Gander
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Kathryn Summers
Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
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Sport NL
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2024 NL Summer Games (Bay Roberts)
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Town of Gander
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