Sport Manitoba Announces 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games

The City of Thompson will host the 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games. The Games will be held in early March, 2018 involving up to 1,800 participants and 1,000 volunteers.

On July 15, 2016 Sport Manitoba announced a successful bid from the Town of Virden and RMs of Pipestone, Woodsworth-Wallace, and Sifton, to be the Host Community for the 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games. Virden withdrew December 12th citing a lack of volunteers.

The City of Thompson had previously demonstrated strong interest in hosting a future Manitoba Games. They joined Virden in attending the host bid workshop for the 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games and had previously bid on the 2014 Winter Games.

Sport Manitoba held an informational meeting with the city of Thompson and the School District of Mystery Lake on Jan. 7, 2017 to discuss Thompson hosting the 2018 Games. City Council voted unanimously January 16th to host the 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games. On January 17th the School District also voted unanimously to host the 2018 Power Smart Games.

Quick Facts

•    The Power Smart Manitoba Games are the largest on-going multi-sport event in the Province. 
•    The program is administered by Sport Manitoba with direction provided by the Manitoba Games Council. 
•    The Manitoba Games is a major sport development program of Sport Manitoba that follows the Olympic cycle, taking place every two years, alternating between summer and winter events. 
•    Morden-Stanley-Winkler hosted the 2014 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games.
•    Steinbach hosted the 2016 Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games.
•    Sporting events in the 2018 Power Smart Games include archery, badminton, cross country ski, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, ringette, speed skating, wrestling and table tennis. 
•    This is the first time speed skating has participated in the Power Smart Games.
•    The City of Thompson previously hosted the Winter Games in 1994.
•    Link to more history

About: Sport Manitoba is a not for profit organization and the lead planning, programming and funding agency for the development of amateur sport in Manitoba. Located in the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre, Sport Manitoba partners with over 100 organizations to deliver sport in our province and is responsible for programs including the Power Smart Manitoba Games, Coaching Manitoba, Team Manitoba, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, and KidSport. Services provided include the Sport Medicine Centre, Sport Performance Centre, and Sport Resource Centre.