FUNDING FOR OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY CELEBRATIONS

Released on April 15, 2009

The Government of Saskatchewan today announced funding for Olympic Torch Relay celebrations in nine of the communities. A total of $405,000 is being distributed among the communities to help them plan and stage events to mark the Olympic Flame's arrival, leading up to the 2010 Winter Games.

"The Torch Relay is a national and international media event that is also one of the premier phases of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Saskatchewan's portion of the Torch Relay will give Canadians outside Saskatchewan, and people around the world, a look at our communities and our province," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Christine Tell said. "The money going to the communities will help showcase Saskatchewan and build pride."

Although the torch will pass through 38 Saskatchewan communities and places of special interest, it will only stop in nine that have been designated as "celebration communities" by the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee. The nine designated communities and the dates of their celebrations are:

• La Ronge - November 7, 2009
• Yorkton and Regina - January 9, 2010
• Moose Jaw and Swift Current - January 10, 2010
• Saskatoon and Prince Albert - January 11, 2010
• North Battleford and Lloydminster - January 12, 2010

The torch will arrive first in Saskatchewan in La Ronge as it travels across northern Canada west to east by air. It returns in January on its trek westward, stopping first in Yorkton and departing the province from Lloydminster.

Each "celebration community" will receive a $45,000 grant to help them cover the cost of their own unique celebration and activities around the Olympic Torch Relay. The funding is part of the Arts, Culture and Heritage Sector Development Plan which is testing innovative and creative approaches to cultural development. The sector development plan will help to further strengthen an already vibrant and growing arts, culture and heritage sector.

In total, the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay will travel 45,000 kilometres and visit every Canadian province and territory. Starting in Vancouver on October 30, 2009, the torch will travel east, returning to Vancouver on February 12, 2010, at Vancouver's B.C. Place where it will be used to light the Olympic Cauldron, signalling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

For an interactive map of the route of the Olympic Torch Relay visit http://www.vancouver2010.com.

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For more information, contact:

Sean St. George
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: sean.stgeorge@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8635