The West Fraser Centre was filled with smiles and culture on Thursday night (Feb. 22) as the opening ceremonies took place for the 2024 Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games.
In total, 830 athletes are participating in the games over eight zones: Kootenays, Thompson-Okanagan, Fraser Valley, Fraser River, Vancouver-Coastal, Vancouver Island,-Central Coast, North West, and Cariboo-North East.
This is the first time in its 46-year history the games are being co-hosted by a city and Indigenous community, something the two have said is a true partnership and in the spirit of reconciliation.
After introductions and speeches, the torch was lit and walked around the entire arena before the cauldron was lit to symbolize the opening of the games.
On Friday, the games begin at various locations around Quesnel, with speed skating taking place in Prince George. This week it was announced Barkerville will also host biathlon and cross country skiing Saturday. Here are the times and locations of the sporting events:
Archery will be taking place at the Indoor Soccer Facility in Quesnel from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with the finals taking place 8:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. Medal presentations are from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Artistic gymnastics will kick off Friday (Feb. 23) at Correlieu Secondary School from 8:40 a.m. to 6:10 p.m. and continue on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Badminton will be held at Quesnel Junior School from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, from 8 a.m. to noon at Quesnel Junior School and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Red Bluff Elementary on Friday, and from noon to 4 p.m. at Red Bluff Elementary and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Quesnel Junior School on Saturday, Feb 24.
Biathlon and Cross Country Skiing is set to take place at Hallis Lake Ski Centre on Thursday, Friday and at Barkerville on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Curling will be held at the Quesnel Curling Club on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and again from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 5:45 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Figure skating will be held at Arena 2 in Quesnel Friday and Saturday, Feb 23 and 24. Friday’s competition will be from 2 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. and on Saturday from 1:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Judo will take place at Lakeview Elementary School on Friday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 to 3 p.m. Medal presentations will take place from 3:15 to 3:45 p.m.
Karate will be held at Barlow Creek Elementary School Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Rhythmic gymnastics is taking place at Riverview Elementary School Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ringette will take place at the West Fraser Centre Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., noon to 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. On Saturday, ringette will be from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. until 6:45 p.m. On Sunday, the bronze medal game will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by the gold medal game from 10:15 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. with medal presentations to follow.
Speed skating will be held at Kin 1 Prince George Friday and Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.
Wheelchair basketball will take place at Quesnel Junior School Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The Games will wrap up on Feb. 25 with a closing celebration in LeBourdais Park from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to join the athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers in celebrating the close of the Games.
READ MORE: Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games set to get underway
READ MORE: President of the Lhtako Quesnel 2024 BC Winter Games attributes success to volunteers