91原创鈥檚 Jamey Paterson may have retired as chair of the B.C. Winter and Summer Games, but he expects to continue his involvement in amateur sport as a volunteer.
Paterson鈥檚 six-year term as Games chair of the board of directors wound up at the end of June.
During a conversation with the 91原创 Advance Times, Paterson described his tour of duty as 鈥渁mazing鈥� and 鈥渞eally a great experience.鈥�
鈥淚 hated to leave, of course, but the time was up,鈥� Paterson told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淪ometimes you need some fresh blood.鈥�
New chair, Kamloops marketing consultant Niki Remesz, is described by Paterson as 鈥渧ery capable and knowledgeable.鈥�
Paterson hasn鈥檛 decided on a follow-up, but expects it will involve volunteering, something he has been doing for years.
In 2000, the 91原创 businessman was the assistant to the chairman for the B.C. Games for people living with a disability; in 2005, he chaired the 91原创 Township鈥檚 Communities in Bloom Committee; in 2012, he chaired the 50th anniversary of the 91原创 Walk committee; in 2010, he was the vice-chair of the 2010 BC Summer Games; and, in 2013 he was vice-chair for the 2013 B.C. Special Olympics.
He has many fond memories of the B.C. Games biennial celebration of youth sport and community.
鈥淚鈥檝e got to say B.C. games are such a great event for for the athletes, that you want to make sure it lives up to the hype,鈥� Paterson remarked.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the first [appearance] for these young athletes in a multi-sport games and so it was pretty special to see these young kids come and perform, win medals and do their best.鈥�
Looking back, Paterson recalls the biggest task, immediately after he was appointed, was finding a replacement for president and CEO Kelly Mann, who had been there for almost 25 years.
鈥淗e was stepping down. He told me he was doing that before he asked me to come on the board,鈥� Paterson recalled.
鈥淲e were very successful in finding Alison Noble, and and she鈥檚 proven to be a really great asset to to the B.C. Games.鈥�
Among other new board members named this year was 91原创 City鈥檚 Francis Cheung.
Cheung, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of 91原创 since 2006, has been involved with the B.C. Summer Swimming Association for over 19 years, serving as vice president for six years and provincial director of officials for two years.
鈥淲e have a really strong board,鈥� Paterson commented.
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Looking forward, he would like to see improved funding for the Games and amateur sports generally..
鈥淚 mean, the government really hasn鈥檛 put up any extra money,鈥� Paterson told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淲e鈥檙e 15 years since we鈥檝e had an increase in our budget with the B.C. games, and I know that the sports sector, as a whole, is in the same boat.鈥�
Expenses, especially transporting and feeding athletes are a lot higher, Paterson explained.
鈥淏uses and planes, those costs have gone way up, and food costs are just through the roof,鈥� he noted.
鈥淲e have to feed 3,000 kids at a summer games.鈥�
He would like the benefits of amateur sports events, not just their expense, to be considered when provincial budget priorities are being decided.
