As the Irish Rovers sang, “Wasn’t that a party?”
Sure, we all would’ve liked to have seen Canadians on the podium during the Alberta World Cup held at the Canmore Nordic Centre (Dec. 13-6) – but in the end, it was quite an event.
From action at the Nordic Centre, where an estimated 35 million viewers worldwide shared the action, to the downtown core which was alive with medal ceremonies, Nordic Festival activities, warming firepits, big-screen outdoor movie classics, colourful signage and flags everywhere, the entire event is one the town can be proud of.
And, on the strength of a successful Quebec City World Cup prior to Canmore’s that also featured thousands of fans, viewers and a bustling downtown snowtrack area, Canadian events should be a winter fixture in future.
Kudos have to go out to everyone who had a hand in organizing such a grand event. When you see how many people get on board with events like the World Cup, it’s easy to see how the 2014 Banff Canmore Alberta Winter Games will be a success.
It’s hard to say what effect a successful event like the World Cup will have on future tourism to the area, but it’s likely to be substantial. And with world-class athletes competing in front of area youth, it’s likely future World Cup and Olympic hopefuls were among those watching the action at the Nordic Centre.
‘Tis the season
Even with World Cup events dominating the minds of many last week, it’s encouraging to see that, throughout the valley, area citizens have given some thought to supporting foodbanks, toy drives and other seasonal charitable and fundraising events.
It’s easy to get caught up in one’s own enjoyment of the holidays, without looking outward to others, so all Valley residents who donated or lent a hand to improve the holiday of others must be thanked for their efforts.
Every year, Bow Valley citizens take it upon themselves to do that little bit extra, give that little bit more and that spirit is just one of the reasons many call this region home.
The horror… the horror…
It’s not often the Outlook dedicates this space to events of an international nature, but the devastating events in Connecticut call for comment – from virtually all quarters.
Any parent who has ever dropped off a child at school, then blissfully gone about the rest of their day, can empathize with Newtown parents.
The words elementary school and massacre simply have no place in the same sentence, yet south of the 49th, the situation isn’t all that shocking anymore – a situation which is shocking on its own.
Here in Canada, where handgun and assault-type weapon ownership is strictly regulated, we can only look south and wonder how bad things have to get before something is done in relation to some form of gun control in the U.S.
It’s one thing for criminals to have weapons, but when they’re so readily accessible to virtually everyone… Legitimate hunting weapons are one thing, weapons designed only to kill people are something else… A recent report states 350,000 Michigan residents are licenced to carry concealed weapons… Even funny guy David Letterman added a solemn note to his show this week when he pointed out that there have been 70 school-related shooting incidents since 1994.
Not to say gun control is the only issue with massacres in the U.S.; mental health issues, gun culture, violence culture (video games, the movie and TV industry) and lack of respect for fellow man, all come into question.
Clearly, though, something substantial must be done.
