The Herb Erickson Shooting Range and the Lac La Biche Mission Historic Site were not the only popular spots for both guests and hosts of the World Archery tournament throughout the week.
The Bold Center in Lac La Biche, the 200,000 square foot recreation facility, was turned into an Athletes' Village — a favourite spot for all the world archers to hangout in the evening after competing all day during the 2019 World Archery 3D Championships at the Range. Each night the Bold Center hosted a meal for the athletes and regional entertainment.
The Athletes Village featured a number of cultural events during the week-long festivities organized by Lac La Biche County's Recreation Department.
The entertainment included an Indigenous Showcase on Tuesday & Wednesday night featuring the Kehewin Native Dance Theatre and the Meskanakew Ahtayokan Cultural Club (MACC), including the Amisk Mini Toe Tappers. On Thursday night the focus was on local dancers, bands and entertainers, including the Northern Beat Dance Academy, Kikino School, Kabz Martial Arts, the Muslim Association, Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement, Edward, Dominic and Melanie Plamondon, Girlz with Guitarz and Andres Calo, an athlete from Uruguay who played guitar for the crowd," said Staci Lattimer, the Manager of Recreation & FCSS with Lac La Biche County.
Good times
Bold Center and County staff received very positve feedback from athletes from different countries about the events organized for them that showcase the numerous local cultures and how all the facilities accommodated the international tournament really well. In some cases and for some international attendees, it was way better than some of the bigger venues that had previously hosted the World 3D event.
"Athletes were impressed with the regalia and performances put on by the groups. Several athletes and groups took photo opportunities and even participated in the round dances and hoop dance workshops," said Lattimer. "We heard from many of the athletes that although this may have been one of the smallest places they’ve competed in, most communities do not provide near as much to keep the athletes entertained or fed."
Local entertainment, like local performers 2 Euros and a Loonie were part of the weeks entertainment for athletes at the Bold Center.
Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi is very proud how the local community has come together and put on a successful event for a major sporting event on such a global scale. He is glad that World Archery chose Lac La Biche as this year's venue. Hosting all the athletes from the different countries has added to the diversity of Lac La Biche County even more, says the Mayor.
"If you think of the make-up of Lac La Biche County, we have people from all over the world. We are very diverse... To have athletes here in the world championships from all the different countries is pretty amazing," Moghrabi said.
Even though the County may have hosted previous events that attracted larger crowds, this international sporting event is a one-of-a-kind high level competition that has taken place locally, noted Moghrabi.
"We have had bigger events with more athletes but nothing international like this (in Lac La Biche). It's a world championship, the top of world are here. So, nothing at that level, we ever had here. I used to run a (baseball) tournament and we would have... there would be 10,000 - 12,000 people. You can have larger events but none of this high calibre," he said.
According to Moghrabi, such events that gives Lac La Biche national and international presence are very important for the community, especially because of the recent economic downfall. The mayor gave a big pat on the back to the community for making the event possible, and the organizing committee members who pulled off a great event. He said the event was the dream of Lakeland Archers head coach Rene Schaub who worked tirelessly to make the event happen.
"It's very important for us. It has been a struggle for the last number of years because of the economic slump, and for Rene Schaub and his group, and for Archery Canada to come forward and choose us as a place to have this in... I am thankful to the organizing committee, all the volunteers, Archery Canada. You look at the things that have been done and how the community opened up its arms. I am really proud of this community." said Moghrabi.
Volunteers in 'droves'
At the end of the medal competitions at the Mission Historical Site, Schaub, who says he has planned to host the event for more than a decade, spoke in front of the spectators and athletes and archery enthusiasts watching from around the world on the televised broadcast of the event. Above the cheers from the crowd, Schaub thanked his wife and family for their support in the preparations for the event.
Rene Schaub is presented with a framed collection of the victory medals from the 2019 World Archery 3D Championships by World Archery Technical Delegate Hannah Brown from Great Britain.
"I'd like to thank all the athletes that came, the coaches, the managers, the judges ... the volunteers that came out in droves to help make this thing come true — and a community that stood together and brought this all together," he said to a thunder of applause.
