Spirit is the personality of each of our communities – something that is as unique to Port Coquitlam as it is to Port Moody, to Coquitlam, to Cranbrook and to Courtenay.

Spirit lives in all of our hearts. We see spirit in the child who picks herself up off the ice, again and again as she learns to skate. We see spirit in the high school student who spends every spare moment rehearsing his role for the school play. We see spirit in the senior who dedicates hours volunteering to make her community a better place. And we see spirit in the young athlete who puts his heart and soul into pursuing his Olympic dreams.

Spirit is that magic ingredient that makes each of us, and our communities, unique and special. It’s also the key to the partnerships that bring communities together – just as the Tri-Cities have come together today to celebrate our communities and our province, and of course to kick off the one-year countdown to the 2010 Winter Games.

On behalf of the Tri-Cities, I would like to say that we’re honoured to be hosting the provincial launch of Spirit Week 2009. It certainly makes us feel connected to our entire province – our larger community.

I’ve talked about partnerships between communities, but I also want to point out that our event today is fostering another kind of partnership – and that is between the various sports, arts and cultural groups that exist in our community. As is displayed in the Marketplace, which will showcase these various opportunities, each of which contributes something important and unique. You see, the real key to today’s event – and to all the Spirit of BC events and projects – is the partnerships.

The partnerships that have formed between communities, between different levels of government, between organizations and between our citizens. Long after the 2010 Games are over, the legacy of these partnerships will live on, in the form of lasting relationships that continue to benefit our communities, our province and our nation. That will be the true legacy of the Games.

The 2010 Winter Games have ignited the spirit in our communities and in our province – in all of Canada. The countdown is on. We’ve got a year to continue building momentum and to make sure this the best Winter Games ever. And we’ve got a year to continue working together, building partnerships and creating legacies for our children. The 2010 Winter Games will put our province and our communities in the international spotlight. This will be our opportunity to shine.

Together, let’s show the world our spirit!

Greg Moore,
Mayor