A cheque presentation was held for a $125,000 donation from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. (SIGA/X)

By Derek Cornet

athletes

More than 60 per cent of funds already raised to host Tony Cote Summer Games

Jul 9, 2024 | 3:08 PM

With the Tony Cote Summer Games only one month away, the Lac La Ronge Indian has already managed to raise more than half of the amount needed to host them.

In total, approximately $750,000 has been raised out of a fundraising goal of $1.2 million. Of the amount raised so far, $250,000 has come from Indigenous Services Canada, $150,000 from the Saskatchewan Games Council, $125,000 from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority and $15,000 from the Northern Sports, Culture and Recreation District.

Saskatchewan Crown corporations have also contributed to the cause, as well as various vendors and companies the band regularly does business with.

“The support has been really good so far,” said Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre director of sports and recreation Kevin Roberts. “I am quite pleased with the response.”

Work is also ongoing on several improvements to sports facilities such as baseball diamonds, the running track and other venues needed for athletics. The beach volleyball complex at Senator Myles Venne School is nearly finished and a new parking lot has been built near the building.

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“I see Air Ronge has also put fresh shale on their diamonds, so we will be using a couple of their facilities,” Roberts noted.

The medals commissioned for the 2024 Tony Cote Summer Games. (Kevin Roberts/Facebook)

“We’ve reached out to the Northern Lights School Division regarding a couple of soccer fields at their local schools.”

The roster for Team Woodland is also nearly finalized with the deadline for registering athletes being this week. Roberts added there are still some spots open for athletes interested in competing in athletics.

Securing enough accommodations throughout the tri-community and area is still ongoing. The Elks Fair Grounds will serve as the Athlete’s Village with the band having secured rentals for bathrooms and showers. In addition, all hotel rooms in La Ronge and Air Ronge have been booked, as well as 130 campsites at three locations in the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.

A callout to community members to rent bedrooms and camper trailers has also been deemed a success.

“We will place our officials in those accommodations and it frees up hotel space for our dignitaries, and especially the chiefs who want to come for the week and support their communities and athletes,” Roberts said.

The band will host hundreds of Indigenous youth and chaperons who will be competing in a variety of events, including athletics, archery, canoe/kayaking, beach volleyball, golf, soccer, and softball. The Games are scheduled to be played from Aug. 10-16.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com