Letter From The Editor

I love the buzz and excitement that comes from hosting a big community event, and it doesn’t get much bigger than hosting a multi-sport games at the provincial level. From February 16-19th, our region will be the host to over 2,000 athletes as they compete in over 20 sports to make their dreams come true - win a medal amongst their peers from all across our province. Competing not just in Fort McMurray, the excitement will spread to other parts of our region as we will be hosting events in Saprae Creek, Anzac and north in Fort McKay.

The team at Your McMurray Magazine is incredibly proud of this special commemorative edition and our gold sponsorship of the Alberta Winter Games.  We’ve worked closely with the Games team to put out this souvenir edition filled from cover-to-cover with all the information you need to make the most of the Games. Whether you’re interested in watching the sporting events, or taking in some of the cultural activities, you’ll get what you need within these pages. We have schedules (although please check www.albertawintergames.ca for the most up-to-date information), venue maps, sport information and more!

You’ll also notice a lot of Games partners throughout this edition of YMM. The Games are not possible without all of the generosity of our business community. We welcome each organization and company to the YMM pages, and we celebrate your contributions to ensuring success for not just the athletes, but also in showcasing our beautiful region.

Of course you can’t have an event of such magnitude without an army of volunteers! WIthout the over 1,500 volunteers helping put on these Games, none of this would be possible. A huge thank-you to each and every one of you - whether you sit on the Board of Directors, are with a company that is sponsoring the Games, a committee chair, or a volunteer giving your time at one of the many sports or venues - your contributions are vital. Work begins four years in advance of hosting a Games and all of that hard work will no doubt be worth it.  You are the true champions!

Good luck to all of the athletes, and a big hearty Wood Buffalo welcome to all of our guests! We hope you enjoy our communities just as much as we do, and get to see first-hand the big sky spirit we all know shines brighter than our majestic northern lights!

Krista Balsom
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher

@kellybalsom
@ymm_magazine