Members of Team BC’s men’s curling team took a break from on-ice competition to join athletes from other provinces at the new Charlottetown Library Learning Centre to meet local children and other athletes and to talk about the importance of sport, reading and books.
“I think this is probably the highlight of the Games so far for me,” says Neil Imada (Surrey), the the third rock thrower on BC’s curling team. “It’s amazing to see so many kids being so passionate about sport and education. The future is bright for PEI.”
Every athlete and participant from all the provinces and territories was encouraged to bring a book to the 2023 Canada Winter Games and donate those books to the community as part of the PEI social legacy project. The focus of the literacy donation program is on books for children under the age of 10.
“I was a super fan of going to the library when I was a kid,” says BC’s Graham Lee (Comox), the second on the curling team. “It’s great that PEI has this wonderful library and this facility where kids can start learning. It’s a great place and the kids are having a fantastic time.”
The festive event featured book reading circles with the athletes, face painting and colouring stations and an appearance by Wowkwis, the PEI 2023 Canada Games mascot.
Team BC Assistant Chef de Mission Heather Beatty (Vancouver) says the Games are about more than what happens on the field of play.
“Certainly, this a great opportunity to see the impact of the Games,” she says. “We are giving back to the community and to the kids to help inspire them in reading and potentially in sport in the future.”
- Filed by Sam Corea (@sammy_sez), Team BC Communications Staff
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