News

The 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina Set to Begin this Sunday

Regina, SK (February 17, 2023) – In just two days’ time, the flame will be lit and the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina, presented by Teine Energy, will begin.

It has been a long road for the volunteer Host Organizing Committee, whose work in planning, organizing and staging the Games began in 2020 and weathered a pandemic-related postponement of the weeklong multi-sport event, originally scheduled for February 2022.

Now the hard-working and dedicated committee is finally ready to welcome the entire province to Regina and celebrate seven days of sport, culture, and community at the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games. From February 19th through 25th, over 1,700 participants, more than 1,000 local volunteers, and upwards of 5,000 visitors will gather in the Queen City to experience the Games.

On Thursday evening, the University of Regina Gym #3 saw a packed house, with the Games’ Volunteer Pep Rally kickstarting the action. As the Champion of Volunteers, SaskEnergy was on hand to give greetings, along with Games Chair Valerie Sluth, who recognized the room full of volunteers for their generosity and community spirit. Also on hand to address the crowd was Kya Ladouceur, a Regina athlete who will be competing in Mixed Doubles Curling, a sport making its Saskatchewan Games debut next week.

In addition to competition in 16 different sports Monday through Saturday, the Games will feature a Culture Festival, sponsored by CGI, is free and open to the public. The festival includes three days of interactive learning and celebration of Saskatchewan’s diverse cultures and talent. Wednesday’s event will feature a keynote speech from Sydney Daniels, followed by a panel discussion on Truth and Reconciliation in Sport. Daniels, of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation, is the first female NHL Scout for the Winnipeg Jets. The Culture Festival events will take place at the University of Regina, Education Auditorium, February 21-23, 2023 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM each evening.

After a Torch Relay on Saturday morning featuring notable leaders in Canadian sport such as Colleen Sostorics and Carol Lafayette-Boyd, the 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games will officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on February 19th at 7:00 PM at the University of Regina. The Closing Ceremony will take place at 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 25th, at the International Trade Centre at REAL District. Tickets for both ceremonies are still available to purchase online and at the door, and the ceremonies will be streamed live for free at app.hometeamlive.com. 

In addition to the ceremonies, HomeTeam Live will be streaming every sport for viewers to access the action, both live and on-demand after events conclude. The free stream is available at app.hometeamlive.com.

These Games mark the 50th anniversary of the biennial Saskatchewan Games, which were first hosted in Moose Jaw in the summer of 1972. The first Winter Games took place in North Battleford in 1974. Since then, fourteen different communities across the province have played host every two years, with 2023 being the first-ever time Regina has carried the title. The next edition of the Games will take place in Summer 2024 in Lloydminster.

The Games will leave behind a lasting legacy in Regina and area, with the Saskatchewan Games Council’s Sport Legacy Grant providing $250,000 in matching funding that has been distributed across many of the participating sport organizations and local clubs. Through this funding, among numerous other capital projects and equipment purchases that will help to promote sport development in the host community, a new ski cross and snowboard cross run was built at Mission Ridge Winter Park; a new snowmobile groomer was purchased for use by the Regina Ski Club; snowmaking capabilities were enhanced for the Qu’Appelle Valley Nordic Centre; new competition mats were purchased for use by Judo Saskatchewan; and more.

Sport Schedule 

The 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games will feature competition in the following sixteen sports, including Futsal and Mixed Doubles Curling, which will be making their Saskatchewan Games debuts.

1st Half: February 19 - 22, 2023

• Alpine Skiing: Mission Ridge Winter Park

• Artistic Swimming: Lawson Aquatic Centre

• Biathlon: Qu’Appelle Valley Nordic Centre (Lumsden)

• Badminton: International Trade Centre at REAL District

• Bowling - Special Olympics: Glencairn Bowling Club

• Curling (Female and Male): Caledonian Curling Club

• Curling (Mixed Doubles): Highland Curling Club

• Gymnastics: City of Regina Fieldhouse

• Speed Skating: The Co-Operators Centre at REAL District

• Table Tennis: University of Regina Gym #1

• Weightlifting: University of Regina Gym #2

2nd Half: February 22 - 25, 2023

• Cross Country and Para Nordic Ski: Douglas Park and Foothills Trails

• Figure Skating: The Co-Operators Centre at REAL District

• Futsal (Female and Male): Avana Centre Sports Barn at REAL District

• Judo: City of Regina Fieldhouse

• Wrestling: University of Regina Gym #1

• Target Shooting: University of Regina Gym #2

Follow this link for the full Sport Schedule. 

Tickets 

Tickets are on sale now! Full week and half-week passes are available for purchase online at this link, and day passes can be purchased at each ticketed competition venue. Youth under the age of 6 may attend all ticketed events free of charge, but must be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult to all ticketed events. Alpine Ski, Cross Country and Para Nordic Ski, and Biathlon are free to the public.

Results & Medal Standings

Results will be updated regularly throughout each day of the Games. The list of medal winners and results by sport will be available at this link.

Livestream

The 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games is pleased to be partnering with HomeTeam Live to stream every sport at the Games at app.hometeamlive.com. The stream is free and easy to access, with instructions here. 

Photos 

Photos of the Games will be available for download at this link.

Culture Festival

The 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games Culture Festival, sponsored by CGI, includes three days of interactive learning and celebration of Saskatchewan’s diverse cultures and talent. The Culture Festival events will take place at the University of Regina, Education Auditorium, February 21-23, 2023 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm each evening. These events are free and welcome to the public.

February 21 and 23 will include celebrations of culture through a sit-down show of diverse and entertaining performances.

February 22 will feature a keynote speech from Sydney Daniels, the Winnipeg Jets' first female NHL Scout, followed by a Truth and Reconciliation in Sport Panel Discussion featuring Scott and Sydney Daniels. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
 

Merchandise

Games gear is available online now! A merchandise kiosk will be set up throughout the Games in the University of Regina Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport.

Media Kit

A comprehensive media kit including athlete rosters, event information, and Games photography is available here.

2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games social channels:

Facebook: 2023 Saskatchewan Winter Games Regina

Twitter: @2023saskgames

Instagram: @2023saskgames

About the Saskatchewan Games:

First established in 1972, the purpose of the Saskatchewan Games is to provide an opportunity for the province’s developing athletes, coaches and officials to participate in an exciting multi-sport event in preparation for a higher level of competition. Countless Saskatchewan Games alumni have advanced to competition at the national level and beyond, with Olympians such as Emily Clarke, Marsha Hudey and Lucas Makowsky counting the Saskatchewan Winter Games as a key step in their journey to the highest levels of sport. The Saskatchewan Games also leave behind valuable legacies that benefit each host community for years to come. To learn more, visit www.saskgames.ca.

###

Media Contact:

Ashley Dennison

Games Services and Communications Lead

Saskatchewan Games Council

adennison@saskgames.ca