Carter Haydu; Moose Jaw Times Herald

“When you think of the Olympics in Vancouver, think of the Winter Games in Moose Jaw. They’re coming at the same time.”

Those were the words of Tony Dreger, Moose Jaw host committee chairman for the 2010 Saskatchewan Winter Games.

On Tuesday, he told a room full of organizers and local dignitaries at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre the local Games would attract about 2,000 athletes and 6,000 sports fans to the Friendly City, so hosting the Games will require plenty of volunteers. “That’s just huge for our community.”

And to make volunteering for the upcoming event as easy as possible, the Saskatchewan Games officially launched its website on Tuesday.

The site includes a link to an online volunteer form for the Games (which will be held Feb. 14-20, 2010).

Dreger demonstrated the website during the media event, becoming the first person to sign in online as an event volunteer.

“One down and 1,699 to go,” said Moose Jaw’s Glenn Hagel, Saskatchewan Games director of ceremonies and protocol, immediately following Dreger’s successful online registration.

The host committee requires between 1,500 and 1,700 volunteers to run the Games.

Susan Schneider, Saskatchewan Games Council executive director, said establishing a permanent home for the Saskatchewan Games online is a great way to help Moose Jaw and future host communities promote, plan and stage the games.

“The Saskatchewan Games Council is really pleased to be able to offer the website as a tool that not only works to inform the public, but also works to create a consistent visual identity for the Saskatchewan Games program for years to come.

Moose Jaw Mayor Dale McBain also spoke at the website launch, saying the online registration is a wonderful tool for encouraging volunteers and he urges every local citizen to become involved with the games.

“What an exciting day for Moose Jaw,” he said about the website launch. “It’s a cold day outside, but you can feel the warmth and excitement in here today.”

For more information or to fill in an online registration form, visit www.saskgames.ca.