Fort McMurray ready to welcome nearly 2,000 athletes for Alberta Winter Games

Next monththe Fort McMurray region will welcome nearly2,000 athletes from around the province for the 2018 Alberta Winter Games.

Games general managerMichelle Toner said the organizing team is ready to welcome the athletes,coaches and chaperones."It's definitely a very busy time," Toner said. "Identifying gaps, seeing where we might have missed a step."

Toner said the event, which will take place from Feb. 16 to 19, is set to go with 22 sports in 11 venues.Organizers expect more than 5,000 visitors to the region.

In 1992, the Fort McMurray region hosted the Alberta Winter Games. In 2004, it hosted the Arctic Winter Games, and in 2015the Western Canada Summer Games.

Toner saidthe Alberta athletes are often scouted as potential Olympians.

"The Alberta Winter Games would be viewed a developmental multisport games," Toner said. "It is a feeder system, if you will."

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The games are expected to cost $4.9 million, which is under the original $6.7-million bid budget, Toner said.

Organizers are now appealing for volunteers. As an incentive, Toner said, all volunteers get special games swag, includinga long-sleeve shirt, a toque and officialjacket.

The next Alberta Winter Games will be hosted in Airdrie.