Too many?
Winter Games hope they won't have to turn volunteers away
Having to turn away an overabundance of volunteers will be the biggest challenge facing the 2006 Arctic Winter Games planned for the Kenai Peninsula, according to the games general manager.
Speaking to members of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Loren Smith said having to turn away people who volunteer if too many step forward would present a negative experience to those wanting to help.
A second challenge would be having enough snow for the winter games, slated for March 5 to 11, 2006, but Smith jokingly said he has received assurances from peninsula civic officials that, "We will have enough snow."
Smith and several key people organizing and planning the winter sports extravaganza presented an update on the games to the Soldotna area business leaders at their regular luncheon meeting at the Riverside House Restaurant.
When asked about finances for the games, Bill Popp, revenue development committee chair, said the group has raised $1.8 million of an overall budget goal of $5.3 million.
"We're on track," Popp said of fund-raising efforts targeting the games, which are 18 months away.
He also said the initial budget amount is being "tightened," explaining that some federal money coming in to improve several of the sports venues on a more permanent basis, will actually reduce the amount the Arctic Winter Games will need to spend on those capital improvements.
Capital projects include building an ice arena in Homer and improving the Soldotna Sports Center, the Kenai Multipurpose Facility in Kenai and the cross-country skiing trails behind Skyview High School.
Popp said federal dollars to the tune of $3.35 million already have been raised mainly for capital projects, which would have a net Arctic Winter Games budget reduction of $600,000.
He said fund raising has focused on the "patron of the games" category of giving, which seeks contributions in the $5,000 to $100,000 range.
"We will kick off the 'Friends of the Games' fund-raising effort in October," Popp said. Contributions of $500 to $4,999 qualify for that level of giving.
Individuals are encouraged to contribute in the "volunteer booster" category in amounts from $25 to $499.
The gathering of volunteers also is picking up speed now, according to volunteer manager Kathy Moore.
"We will need to fill the villages with about 3,000 volunteers," she told the business leaders.
Modeling the Kenai Peninsula Arctic Winter Games after the Olympics, sports manager Chris Hayes told the group earlier that athletic villages would be set up at Kenai, Soldotna and Skyview high schools with athletes also housed at Homer High School and at the Alyeska Ski Resort as part of the Skyview village.
Moore said the volunteers would be required to work a minimum of four four-hour shifts and would be asked to complete a general orientation training session.
She said that in about two weeks, people will be able to register as volunteers online at www.awg2006.org.
Terri Nettles, the executive administrative assistant, said the Web site currently has information on the games, Arctic Winter Games' history and the games' mission.
She also said a section is being developed that will include visitor information on hotels and other lodging, car rentals and restaurants.
Smith reminded the group of the games' mission, which is to bring the youth and cultures of many nations together in the spirit of competition and friendship.
"It's important that the Arctic Winter Games leave a legacy of community spirit, as the mission states," Smith said.
"Other communities that have had the games have found that the volunteer spirit is a legacy that lasts long after the games," he said.
Photo by M. Scott Moon Volunteer Fred Djiskelni welcomes visitors to the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Arctic Winter Games in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Organizers of this year's games credited volunteers for their success.
Winter Games officials hope they won't have to turn volunteers away
Too many?
By PHIL HERMANEK
Peninsula Clarion
Having to turn away an overabundance of volunteers will be the biggest challenge facing the 2006 Arctic Winter Games planned for the Kenai Peninsula, according to the games general manager.
Speaking to members of the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Loren Smith said having to turn away people who volunteer if too many step forward would present a negative experience to those wanting to help.
A second challenge would be having enough snow for the winter games, slated for March 5 to 11, 2006, but Smith jokingly said he has received assurances from peninsula civic officials that, "We will have enough snow."
Smith and several key people organizing and planning the winter sports extravaganza presented an update on the games to the Soldotna area business leaders at their regular luncheon meeting at the Riverside House Restaurant.
When asked about finances for the games, Bill Popp, revenue development committee chair, said the group has raised $1.8 million of an overall budget goal of $5.3 million.
"We're on track," Popp said of fund-raising efforts targeting the games, which are 18 months away.
He also said the initial budget amount is being "tightened," explaining that some federal money coming in to improve several of the sports venues on a more permanent basis, will actually reduce the amount the Arctic Winter Games will need to spend on those capital improvements.
Capital projects include building an ice arena in Homer and improving the Soldotna Sports Center, the Kenai Multipurpose Facility in Kenai and the cross-country skiing trails behind Skyview High School.
Popp said federal dollars to the tune of $3.35 million already have been raised mainly for capital projects, which would have a net Arctic Winter Games budget reduction of $600,000.
He said fund raising has focused on the "patron of the games" category of giving, which seeks contributions in the $5,000 to $100,000 range.
"We will kick off the 'Friends of the Games' fund-raising effort in October," Popp said. Contributions of $500 to $4,999 qualify for that level of giving.
Individuals are encouraged to contribute in the "volunteer booster" category in amounts from $25 to $499.
The gathering of volunteers also is picking up speed now, according to volunteer manager Kathy Moore.
"We will need to fill the villages with about 3,000 volunteers," she told the business leaders.
Modeling the Kenai Peninsula Arctic Winter Games after the Olympics, sports manager Chris Hayes told the group earlier that athletic villages would be set up at Kenai, Soldotna and Skyview high schools with athletes also housed at Homer High School and at the Alyeska Ski Resort as part of the Skyview village.
Moore said the volunteers would be required to work a minimum of four four-hour shifts and would be asked to complete a general orientation training session.
She said that in about two weeks, people will be able to register as volunteers online at www.awg2006.org.
Terri Nettles, the executive administrative assistant, said the Web site currently has information on the games, Arctic Winter Games' history and the games' mission.
She also said a section is being developed that will include visitor information on hotels and other lodging, car rentals and restaurants.
Smith reminded the group of the games' mission, which is to bring the youth and cultures of many nations together in the spirit of competition and friendship.
"It's important that the Arctic Winter Games leave a legacy of community spirit, as the mission states," Smith said.
"Other communities that have had the games have found that the volunteer spirit is a legacy that lasts long after the games," he said.