Province of PEI awarded the 2023 Canada Games
At an announcement held today in UPEI's McMillan Hall in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, the 2023 Canada Winter Games were officially awarded to the province of Prince Edward Island. Canada Games Council board member Lynn Blouin was on hand to present the Canada Games flag to the Honourable Robert Mitchell, Minister of Health and Wellness, and responsible for sport. UPEI's Vice-President Administration and Finance Jackie Podger served as the master of ceremonies as the University will be the site of the Athletes Village and the host of several sports during the Games.
In a message issued to the campus communty, President Abd-El-Aziz said:
Along with Vice-President Administration and Finance Jackie Podger, I have been working very closely with the PEI Canada Games Bid Committee over the past year in efforts to secure the 2023 Canada Winter Games for Prince Edward Island. Recently I met with members of the Canada Games Council’s bid evaluation team to assure them that the University of Prince Edward Island will lend its full support to the event organizers. UPEI will be a significant component of the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Our campus will not only host several sports at our facilities, but our new residence, that was announced yesterday and is proposed to be built near the corner of Belvedere and University avenues, will be the hub of the Athletes Village, housing Canada Games athletes from across the country.
I have discussed UPEI’s involvement with the 2023 Games at both Senate and with the Board of Governors, and was very pleased to receive their unanimous support. We collectively agree that UPEI should play an integral role as this national multi-sport event for youth will have many positive impacts on our community, our province, and our students, faculty, and staff. Our campus community will have many opportunities to contribute to its success, and in turn, we will be enriched by our participation in the Canada Games experience.
Today’s announcement that the 2023 Canada Winter Games have been officially awarded to Prince Edward Island is wonderful news for our Island and for the University. I look forward to continuing UPEI’s collaboration with event organizers to discuss the many ways that, together, we can stage the best edition of the Canada Winter Games in 2023.
The University of Prince Edward Island played a significant role in both previous Canada Games on Prince Edward Island: the Canada Winter Games in 1991, and Canada Summer Games in 2009.
