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Can-Am Police-Fire Games will be largest sporting event in city since '81 Canada Games

THUNDER BAY -- The city's largest sporting event in more than 30 years is looking for volunteers.
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Can-Am Police-Fire Games Federation Canadian president Terry Tycholis (Jamie Smith, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY -- The city's largest sporting event in more than 30 years is looking for volunteers.

With more than 1,000 participants expected, organizers with the 2016 Can-Am Police-Fire Games say the eight-day event in July will likely be the largest multi-sport event in Thunder Bay since the 1981 Canada Games.

Volunteer committee chair Sharon Bak said they're going to need anywhere from 500 to 700 volunteers to make sure the games are a success. From planning to fundraising, registration to transportation, anyone can help.

"Every bit of time anyone can give is very valuable," she said Monday morning at Canadian Tire, announces as the games' opening ceremonies sponsor.

Thunder Bay Police service chief J.P. Levesque said it's taken a lot of hard work to get the event to this point.

"It's been four years in the making right from the bidding process to getting started here in July," he said.

Levesque said if the city's winter Special Olympics, hosted in 2011, are any indication, Thunder Bay will be there to volunteer.
"We're going to see it and we're seeing it already. Volunteerism in Thunder Bay always steps up," he said.

The games' Canadian president Terry Tycholis said the games are a great way for a community to see what their emergency responders can do .

"In my opinion it's a really big community builder," he said.

"For the community I think it's a great morale booster."

Some of the most popular events are the K-9 competitions, toughest police officer, toughest fire fighter and more traditional sports like power lifting and hockey Tycholis said.

The event will also look to raise money for the Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club of Thunder Bay. In the past, the games have raised anywhere from $12,000 to $180,000.

"It all depends on Thunder Bay," Tycholis said.

Anyone looking to volunteer can visit http://www.thunderbaycanam.com/

 





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