Mr. Speaker, as many of the Members of this Legislative Assembly know, the 1996 Arctic Winter Games will be held in Chugiak-Eagle River, Alaska, from March 3 to 10, 1996. The NWT has participated in the 13 Arctic Winter Games held since the first games were hosted by Yellowknife in 1970.
Team NWT for 1996 will consist of 371 athletes, coaches and mission staff in 19 sports, plus a cultural contingent. The team has representation from 33 communities across the NWT, a fact we are particularly proud of.
Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing with Members of this Assembly, a complete list of members of Team NWT, so that they may be aware of those athletes who have earned the right to represent the NWT at this, the largest and most important games in the North. (Translation ends)
The Arctic Winter Games involves far more than these 371 athletes, Mr. Speaker. The regional and territorial trials used to select the final team are an important opportunity for broad-based competition. Nearly 2,400 participants from 52 communities were involved in the regional trials that took place in November and December of 1995.
From these regional trials, 1,389 participants from 44 communities advanced to territorial trials that were held in 11 different locations in the NWT, January 18 to 21, 1996.
Providing opportunity for as many young athletes as possible, regardless of the community in which they live, is an important objective of the Arctic Winter Games. Participation in sport and recreation can contribute to individual and community wellness, and extending these benefits as broadly as possible to all young people is our intention.
It is true that there is a cost to the broad-based competitions that we sponsor in the Northwest Territories. However, Mr. Speaker, this government's direct contribution is modest: $150,000 each year, or $300,000 for each games held every two years. Revenue is raised from registration fees, lottery proceeds and other donations to offset total costs.
Mr. Speaker, the biggest factor in keeping costs of the Arctic Winter Games down are the hundreds of volunteers who make all this happen. Without the volunteer officials, coaches, managers, chaperons and organizers, the Arctic Winter Games would simply cost too much and this opportunity for our young people would be lost. It has been conservatively estimated that volunteer time was $420,000 for the regional trials; $230,000 for the territorial trials; and another $25,000 for the games, nearly $700,000 in volunteer help. These figures do not include the months of volunteer time of every coach who trained teams or individuals for the competitions. In fact, it has been calculated that volunteers who work with the various territorial sport governing bodies contribute $5.5 million of their time each year.
I wish to say a special thank you to the parents and other adults whose commitment and hard work has made this all possible.
Mr. Speaker, I am sure Members will join me in congratulating those who will be representing the Northwest Territories at the 1996 Arctic Winter Games and wish them the best of luck in their competitions. May they compete in a spirit of friendship and goodwill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause