Games’ success measured in chocolate milk

“The Games were a tremendous success,” said Wendy Plandowski.

Those words describe the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games hosted here in Lloydminster.

Plandowski was one of the Games co-chairs and said they worked hard to host the best Games Sask had ever seen.

“We tried very hard to host the best Games that Saskatchewan had ever held, by some accounts I think we’ve reached our goal,” she said.

The presentation, made by Plandowski and co-chair Aaron Rawlake, was during the City’s Sept. 16 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting (GPC).

Some preliminary information was given about what impact the Games had on the city. Rawlake said Lakeland College, which was serving lunch and dinner, served over 18,000 meals. He says there was also 13,800 juice boxes and 9,800 cartons of chocolate milk served.

“It really puts into perspective what we did,” said Rawlake.

He says the art and culture events were also a success.

“The art culture events that happened throughout the week were extremely well received,” said Rawlake. “Our art walk with Michelle (Lake) went much longer than anticipated but no one complained. They loved seeing the murals around town.”

He said the details regarding the finances of the Games were still to come, and during the GPC, he said he anticipates a surplus.

Councillors around the table each thanked the co-chairs for putting on the Games and told stories of their own experiences.

“I had the benefit of seeing things firsthand, it didn’t hit home until you see all those athletes come together and see the community get lit up with people from out of town coming in, hearing stories of how well our community did putting on those games,” said Coun. Jason Whiting.

Plandowski wrapped up the presentation by saying they’d have a jersey to present to council in the future.

“We do want to honour our colleague Glenn (Fagnan). We have a jersey that can hopefully be retired somewhere in the future”, she said.