Only half of the number of volunteers needed for next month’s B.C. Summer Games in Surrey have been recruited.
But 2012 committee president Bill McNamara isn’t concerned – at least not yet.
McNamara said roughly 1,600 people have stepped forward to donate their time and expertise in the numerous roles needed. That’s less than half of the 3,900 people the B.C. Games Society says is necessary.
“The B.C. Games Society says we’re actually ahead of pace, but I’d like (recruitment) all done by the end of the month,” said McNamara. “That way we have more than enough time to train the volunteers. Then it’s one more thing we don’t have to worry about.”
McNamara said the group could probably get by with 3,200 people volunteering on the weekend of the July 19-22 B.C. Summer Games, as often people step up to fill more than one role, or work more than the requested single four-hour shift.
An example of the size of the Games, which will feature more than 2,800 young athletes competing over three days, is in food services. McNamara said people with experience are needed to deliver three meals a day to the sports sites.
“We need to serve around 700-800 meals every 20 minutes,” he said. “We need to serve 2,500 people at the sites within an hour or so. It’s enormous. Over the four days, we’ll serves 32,000 meals.”
Other areas needing additional volunteers are security (patrolling the dorms), accommodation (signing in athletes to dorms each evening), and transportation (courtesy drivers).
And while large numbers of volunteers is good, expertise in the required fields is better.
“Hopefully, people are knowledgeable in the areas we need,” McNamara said.
To volunteer, register online at http://2012bcsummergames.ca/volunteers/board-of-directors/
The 2012 BC Summer Games will see more than 2,800 young athletes compete in 21 different sports, such as soccer, swimming, rowing, wrestling, softball and more. Visit 2012bcsummergames.ca
