While the schedule for Winterfest 2019 hasn’t been finalized yet, event partner Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) has already announced that a youth four-on-four hockey tournament will be a big part of this year’s festivities.
This tournament will take place Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all of the action being contained at the football field near the Thompson Regional Community Centre (TRCC).
“They are making two rinks for me in the back,” said MKO youth program co-ordinator Gina Spence, who is organizing the tournament. “They’re going to be making the rink out of snow. Even the sitting area will be made out of snow.”
Spence has been organizing these road hockey tournaments for Winterfest since 2016 but she put the event on hiatus last year since she was on maternity leave.
However, in 2019, Spence said she is excited to bring back this popular tournament that normally draws between 100 and 140 participants every year.
“This tournament was put on so that these children can just get out there and have fun,” she said. “The kids might make it competitive, but I like making it fun. Anything I do with the youth I always try and make it as fun as possible.”
To register for this tournament, which can accommodate players aged three to 17 years old, contact Spence at 204-939-4330 or gina.spence@mkonorth.com.
As for the rest of Winterfest, which runs Feb. 22−24, the city’s director of recreation, parks and culture Carol Taylor said the full schedule should be finalized following the organizing committee’s Feb. 6 meeting at the TRCC.
Anybody wanting to lend a helping hand is welcome to attend this get-together, which is taking place at 6 p.m. in the Mary Fenske Boardroom.
Otherwise, any other inquiries about Winterfest 2019 can be directed towards the city’s recreation department at 204-677-7952.
