Greater Vernon BC Winter Games Society names new president, VP

A pair of leadership positions have been filled by the Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games Society.

Nicky Dunlop has been named president of the society, while Cindy Masters has earned the role of vice president. Dunlop is the executive director of B.C. anti-poverty group PovNet Society while Masters serves as the executive director for the Okanagan Village Housing Society.

The 2022 BC Winter Games in Greater Vernon were cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the local impacts of last year’s flooding and wildfires. Instead, the games will be held in Vernon March 23 to 26, 2023.

Dunlop and Masters will take over for Val Trevis and Teresa Durning, who completed their roles as president and vice president and provided “exceptional leadership” for 18 months, the society said in a press release.

“I am thrilled to take on this new role to lead the local team to create a memorable BC Winter Games experience next year in Greater Vernon,” said Dunlop. “I want to express my gratitude to Val and Teresa for their dedication and efforts to keep this project moving forward.”

Masters said the focus over the next 11 months will be “to build upon the extensive planning with all stakeholders to make sure the venues, facilities, services and volunteers are well prepared to welcome all Games participants from every corner of B.C. next March.”

“I am confident the local host society, under the new leadership, will continue to make progress to create an exceptional event for athletes, coaches, officials and spectators next March,” said Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming. “We know Greater Vernon will be ready to host these Games with enthusiasm!”

Provincial sports organizations will spend the coming months reviewing qualification requirements to determine if athletes who qualified for the 2022 games will be allowed to compete in 2023.

Meanwhile, the 55+ BC Games will be held in Victoria from Sept. 13 to 17. Registration is open now, and anyone interested in competing in their sport, including cribbage and whist, should register as soon as possible.