A Moment with the Mayor: Counting down from 100 days until the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games

Friday, April 12, marked the 100-day countdown to the official opening of the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games, presented by Teine Energy, and hosted right here in Lloydminster. 

From July 21 to 27, we’ll host over 1,800 of Saskatchewan’s youth athletes competing in 15 sports. As a city, we’re no stranger to hosting major events, including previous summer games in 2008 and numerous other provincial and national calibre events for various sports. 

You may ask why we continue to be invited to host events in our community. Is it the water? Is it the Border Markers? Or is it…? Lloydminster has made its mark on the event-hosting map for many reasons. The quality of facilities, amenities, and the quantity and quality of volunteers, organizers and supporters of past events have put Lloydminster on the map as a community of excellence across Canada. The accolades received by our members of sporting and cultural organizations, our top-tier coaches, trainers, managers and officials, combined with the hospitality of our community, have resulted in Lloydminster being sought after to host. They say we go above and beyond expectations on all fronts as a city. 

Our local businesses are always in the background, providing the resources and sponsorship and allowing their employees to volunteer to ensure the success of our many events. Businesses and individuals from across the city and area assist with the planning and execution of the games and then the aftermath of clean up and take down. As I mentioned, and I am proud to share, our community has a great reputation for providing service with a smile and volunteers in abundance. This is when the city and surrounding neighbours unite to make things happen. As the games approach, we hope you choose to join us as we play host to the province’s best athletes. We’ll need volunteers of all abilities and ages, and we look forward to having you join us. The information about different opportunities to help out is found at SaskGames.ca/summer. 

As part of the changes to volunteering everywhere, a criminal record check is part of the process. This does not cost you anything; the details will be sent to you as you sign up. This is now just a part of the process, and if you live in the city, the forms can be taken to the RCMP station beside city hall. If you live in the country, you will need to go to either Maidstone if you are on the Saskatchewan side or Kitscoty if you are in Alberta in the country.

Our volunteer organizers are excited to have you join us as we prepare to host Saskatchewan and athletes and their families from across the province.

Let’s make this the best Saskatchewan Summer Games Ever!

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster