With the 2004 Saskatchewan Summer Games just over a year away, preparations are underway at all levels to make this provincial event a success for Weyburn.

Much of the work to make our facilities ready to host the best athletes from around the province will be done this year, whether it's upgrading of existing facilities like the Leisure Centre, or building of new facilities, such as a new running track on the grounds of the Weyburn Comprehensive School.

The biggest part of hosting the Summer Games, however, is something that will require a commitment on an unprecedented scale from the residents of Weyburn and the surrounding area: the need for volunteers, over 1,500.

Weyburn has certainly done well with its volunteers in the past, having successfully hosted provincial sporting events and national ones, including the Canadian Mixed Curling Championships a couple years ago. These would not have been successes were it not for the volunteers who came out to ensure everything ran smoothly.

This year once again we have some fine examples of the volunteerism and spirit that is required to pull these games off, as six out of the 11 awards by the Southeast Saskatchewan Association for Culture, Recreation and Sport (SESACRS) are for people from the Weyburn region.

Each award is for a different aspect of these three areas of culture, recreation and sport, all areas that will be a major part of the Summer Games as well.

Grace Goudy of Stoughton and Mary Konotopetz of Weyburn will be awarded for their efforts in heritage conservation; Rocky Sample of Pangman for his contributions to culture; Megan Leach, a Grade 12 student at the Weyburn Comprehensive School, for her involvement in the community and leadership in school; Denis Tremblay, coach at St. Michael Junior High, for his years of contribution to young people's lives; and the Fillmore Falcons, a basketball team from 33 Central School that has made remarkable achievements despite coming from a small community.

In their individual ways, each award recipient demonstrates the kind of dedication and hard work required, not only to benefit their particular circle of friends and colleagues but to further enrich the lives of those involved, whether at school or in the greater community at large.

The Summer Games will doubtless be a lot of work for a lot of people, but the end result will be worth it. The focus of the province will be on this community for the duration of the Games, and the legacy will not only be the new and improved sport and recreation facilities left behind for the residents, but the impression the community makes as a place to visit or do business in.

The Games could very well be the catalyst that helps spin off benefits for years to come as people around Saskatchewan (and outside the province, for that matter) see Weyburn as a desirable place to come to.

This will only happen, however, as city and area residents band together to make the Games a success through their volunteer efforts. Let us take the example from these fine award recipients and make Weyburn as a whole a community of winners. - G.N.