B.C. has voted, now 10 communities compete to become GamesTown 2010

After casting nearly 200,000 votes, British Columbians have picked the 10 communities that are finalists to win the title of GamesTown 2010 and the $100,000 grand prize, announced Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow B.C. Mary McNeil.

“These 10 communities have shown their healthy living and Olympic spirit in ways that have really resonated with British Columbians,” said McNeil. “Congratulations to all the communities that entered the contest for demonstrating their excitement and enthusiasm for the 2010 Games, and their commitment to a healthier, more environmentally sustainable lifestyle.”

The top 10 communities are: Houston, Princeton, Smithers, Quesnel, Salmon Arm, Dawson Creek, Prince George, Kamloops, Kelowna and Coquitlam.

From Nov. 1 until Jan. 4, British Columbians voted for their favourite communities online, allowing the public to choose the top 10. Two communities from each from the five different population categories make up the final 10. A panel of GamesTown 2010 celebrity judges – Dr. Rhonda Low of CTV, Dr. Art Hister of Global and Olympians Steve Podborski, Simon Whitfield and Nancy Greene Raine – will now choose the three winning communities. The top three will be announced later this month.

“The entries from all 10 communities really showed how proud British Columbians are to be hosting the 2010 Games,” said Podborski. “What I saw from reading the entries from these 10 communities and many, many others is that we will have a legacy of healthy, active communities across this beautiful province for years to come.”

GamesTown 2010 is an ActNow B.C. initiative that was launched in February 2009 that allowed British Columbians in communities across the province to submit stories, photos and videos to the GamesTown 2010 website. Entries for the contest are judged on their creativity and enthusiasm for healthy living and sport, environmental sustainability, their spirit for the 2010 Games and the community’s participation in the World Healthy Living Challenge. The GamesTown 2010 website will continue to operate during the Games as a platform for the 124 communities to share stories, photos and videos about their Games spirit, and in particular the torch relay.

The gold, silver and bronze medal winning communities will receive cash awards of $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000, respectively, to put toward upgrading a local sport or healthy living facility. Winning communities will also receive 2010 Olympic and Paralympic tickets.

Join the more than 75,000 British Columbians and people around the world in making B.C. the healthiest region ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games by signing up for the World Healthy Living Challenge at www.actnowbc.ca.

For a detailed profile on our celebrity judges visit www.gamestown2010.ca.