By Alex Soloducha

Sask. Winter Games athletes’ village gets praise

Feb 21, 2014 | 11:27 AM

According to some athletes competing in the Saskatchewan Winter Games, they are getting the royal treatment in Prince Albert.

Athletes in Sochi, Russia might be jealous.

The athlete’s village is set up at Carlton Comprehensive High School, since the students are currently on winter break.

The classrooms have been transformed into rooms for the athletes, with rows of bunk beds.

Madison Mansfield is from team South East is competing in rhythmic gymnastics. “I think it’s really fun that we just get to hang out with our friends and we get our own room provided for us. There are bunk beds in the room. It’s really big,” she said.

Missing pet

'She means the world to our family': Woman seeks help in finding missing pet parrot

17h ago

BE CAREFUL ON THE ROADS

Semi flips outside P.A.; one of dozens of incidents on Sask. roads due to winter weather

17h ago

NO GO FOR BUSES

School bus routes outside P.A. canceled due to spring snowstorm

22h ago

Briana Deroo is on the same team. “It’s really great that we got this opportunity, and yeah it’s really big, and we get a lot of independence. The meals are really good. And it’s good to meet new people and all that stuff,” she said. They start competing today. Deroo said she was excited, but a little nervous. 

There is a girl’s side and a boy’s side, and the athletes get to bunk with their specific team as well as other athletes competing in their sport. According to the athletes, it’s lights out at 11 p.m.

As far as downtime goes, the athletes have different entertainment options. They are able to swim in the Frank Dunn pool when not competing, they can attend other sports (wrestling and badminton are held on location at Carlton), and tonight there is a movie night for the athletes to attend. There will also be a dance held later in the week. This goes along with the hours of prep that each athlete goes through each day. It’s safe to say they aren’t exactly bored.

Derek Brodner is on Team Regina. He’s enjoying the activities. “I like how they have the game room and stuff so you don’t have to just sit in your room all day and do nothing,” he said. He is staying with many of the people he’ll be competing against. 

There are scheduled times for meals, but in between meals the athletes have “grazing” times with snacks and refreshments available. 

Ben Yungmann is from Team Prairie Central. “It’s really cool. There’s lots of stuff you can do to stay entertained. And there’s grazing … It’s better than I expected. I knew lots of gymnastics people but I didn’t know other people,” he said. He also went to a wrestling match which he said was full of action.

Kent Dignean is a coach for the Prairie Central team. His son is competing in the gymnastics as well.

“It’s been very good. I was very impressed actually,” he said. He praised the organization and the activities available to the athletes. “Last night, they actually went and did some swimming so it was nice that they were able to enjoy that and watch some of the other sports as well.”

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha