Issues with 2018 Arctic Winter Games include lack of board, arena delays, says final report

Areport from the Arctic Winter Games Host Society says that their 2018 games in the N.W.T.'s South Slave region were broadlysuccessful, but that running the games without a board of directors posed significant challenges.

On Sept 4. the committeepublished their final opinions onthe 2018 games, co-hosted in Hay Riverand Fort Smith.

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The document outlined a list of challenges faced by the communities. It also recommended changes, some of which may be implemented when Whitehorse hosts the next games in 2020.

One of the major issues showcased in the reportwas the structure of how the games were governed. The 2018 games were organized by paid staff and not by a board of governors, something host society president Greg Rowe said led to challenges with staff workloads.

The host society recommends a governing board be developed and each member of that board be responsible for overseeing specific areas of the event.

"I think it's a huge challenge and how [the games] are structured is important," said Rowe.

"This report is very important for the next host but also for future games. There was some talk that Peace River may be the next host for Northern Alberta and they'll be faced with similar challenges."

Other issues noted in the 85-page report include delays in construction of Hay River's arena, a shortage of accommodation, a lack of volunteers and a limited budget to pay cultural performers as challenges.

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Smaller communities who want to co-host the Arctic Winter Games flawlessly will be faced with similar challenges, said Rowe.

The report suggestsa need for younger volunteers who have a better understanding of modern technology. It also mentions the lack of internetaccess in the communities, and copyright issues with the games' theme song.

The host society also recommendedpartnering communities host the opening ceremony in one location and closing ceremony in the other.

This was the first time the Arctic Winter Games have been in the South Slave region since 1978, when Hay River co-hosted with Pine Point.

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However, despite the issues highlighted in the report, the host society says it is pleased with how the games turned out overall.

"The organizers' audacity in thinking the region could do it was impressive. Actually doing it goes way beyond impressive," stated the report.

An financial audit on the 2018 gameswill be available to the public in the next couple months, said Rowe.

With files from Kirsten Murphy