NEWS RELEASE
September 25, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ernie's Donates Office and Retail Space for 2010 Arctic Winter Games
Grande Prairie, Alberta – At a 2010 Arctic Winter Games news conference today, Ernie’s Sports Experts announced a donation of office and retail space to the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Host Society. Ernie’s Sports Experts owners Darrell and Dean Radbourne, accompanied by their families, presented 2010 Games President Debbie Reid with a giant symbolic key in front of the new space, which is located in the Ernie’s Sports Plaza.
This December, the 2010 Games office will move from their current space located in the Bell Tower Plaza above The UPS Store to this new location in the Ernie’s Sports Plaza on the corner of 116th Avenue and 100th Street, next door to the Ernie’s Sports Experts.
“This is a very generous contribution by the Radbourne family and Ernie’s Sports Experts that really speaks to their commitment not only to the Games, but to this community,” said Debbie Reid. “The Radbourne family has demonstrated that they are true business leaders, stepping up in a big way to help us bring this very exciting international event to our city and to our region.”
Through its partnership with the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, Ernie’s will donate the space to the Games for 18 months.
“We’re a family operation of course, so our entire family, including Ernie and Irma, Dean and Chloe, and Joan and I - are proud to support the Arctic Winter Games,” said Ernie’s Owner Darrell Radbourne. “We know this is the start of something dynamic for the Peace Country. We’re excited to count down the days toward the opening ceremonies”.
2010 Arctic Winter Games Director of Administration Mike Reid said the location is ideal for the organization`s needs.
“This location meets our needs very well as it is both visible and easily accessible to the public, and it assists us operationally by allowing us to combine our store and office space,” said Mike. “Not only does it help us meet our financial objectives, but it creates a stronger team when our Games staff and our office and retail volunteers are working together under one roof.”
The grand opening for the office space is being planned for sometime this December, while the store opening will take place by September of 2009. A limited line of merchandise will be available for sale online in time for Christmas.
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The Arctic Winter Games is a high profile sport competition and cultural event for northern athletes and performers. Since their inception in 1970, the Games now include participants from Alaska, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, northern Alberta, northern Quebec (Nunavik), the Russian province of Yamal, Greenland, and the Sami people of Norway and Finland. Grande Prairie will be the southern-most city to host the Games, to be held from March 6-13, 2010.
For more information contact:
Debbie Reid, President
2010 Arctic Winter Games
Cell: 780-512-6346
