Countdown to Games Begins

In two years, downtown Halifax will be rockin' as the province welcomes 2,700 young athletes who will compete in the 2011 Canada Winter Games. The opening ceremonies of the Games will take place at the Halifax Metro Centre on Feb. 11, 2011.

To kick off the two-year countdown, the Games sport venues will open their doors to the community, offering people a chance to get active while enjoying the facilities that will host Canada's future champions.

"We want these Games to touch as many people as possible," said 2011 chairman, Jean-Paul Deveau. "The Games are about sport and excellence, but they are also about building community pride. We want the communities surrounding the Games to participate and start to feel the spirit of the Games."

As part of the celebrations, Martock Ski Resort will be open for free night skiing with an optional beginner lesson on Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

On the same day, St. Margaret's Bay Centre will host a free skate from 3 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. Ski Wentworth will provide free group ski lessons at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dartmouth Sportsplex will host a free skate from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

The Halifax Metro Centre will host a free skate on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Later in the day, the Halifax Forum will host a free skate from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Cole Harbour Place will be open for a free swim from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12.

On Friday, Feb. 13, Saint Mary's Tower will grant complimentary access to the university's basketball games against Memorial University. The women's game begins at 6 p.m. and the men's at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Mayflower Curling Club will hold Learn to Curl Clinics. The first will be taught by Canada Games alumni for children ages six and older from 12:30 p.m to 2:30 p.m. The second will be for adults from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

A detailed schedule of events is available on the website at www.canadagames2011.ca . Some events require a printable pass, also available on the website, and all activities are based on capacity.

The 2011 Canada Winter Games will be the largest sporting event in Halifax's history and the city's first Canada Winter Games. More than 2,700 athletes will come to compete in more than 20 sports, attracting thousands of visitors, VIPs, officials and media. The Games run from Feb. 11-27, 2011.

Beyond the impact on the sporting community, the Games are expected to generate about $80 million for the local economy.