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Date: Sep 14, 2009

Entry: The Vernon Kokanee Swim Club (VKSC) is a competitive swim club founded in 1966 and is a proud member of Swim BC and Swimming Canada. The club operates as a non-profit sports body to promote aquatics in the community of Vernon, BC.

There are currently 52 swimmers in the entry-level Grassroots program and 93 swimmers participating in the Kokanee Club, ranging in ages from five to 27 years old.

This year VKSC athletes have successfully participated in Provincial, National and International swim meets.

Twice a year the VKSC hosts a regional swim meet and Jamboree which attracts swimmers from throughout the region as well as teams from Richmond, Calgary and North Vancouver.

Vernon Kokanee Swim Club

Date: Sep 14, 2009

Entry:
Last hockey season I volunteered to manage the Girls Bantam hockey team. The girls, for logistical reasons played in the boys league.It was amazing to watch over the season as they struggled to get goals and not once did they give up. Game after game our girls worked very hard and smiled always. The energy in the dressing room was always positive and they just kept on going! I can honestly say that although it was a tough season the girls played as hard in the first game of the year as they did in the last. As a hockey parent and volunteer for many years I can honestly say this was my proudest year. Thats Spirit!

The girls with the most SPIRIT come from Vernon!

Date: Sep 13, 2009

Entry: Living in Vernon for just over a year I am still amazed every day! The city and surrounding area makes me proud to be part of this community. It seems no matter what the season or day there is something for everyone.

My Vernon 2009

Date: Sep 8, 2009

Entry: After many years of only private tennis club exposure with long membership waiting lists, the public in Vernon and area finally has access to a public tennis association. Started in November of 2008, the Vernon Tennis Association (VTA), much to the surprise of its founders, has attracted over 100 members in just the short period from April to October this year. During that time the VTA has hosted two wonderfully successful and fun Junior tournaments with over 40 players participating, and two 'fun' tournaments for its adult members. The VTA runs ladies and men's competitive evenings and drop-ins for members, family and friends. A tennis clinic was held for 19 members one evening and more are expected to be scheduled considering the positive feedback from those attending.

All this activity in such a short period of time and on outdoor public tennis courts which up to this point were very underused, attracted the attention of four organizations who felt the VTA was worthy of receiving some financial help in the way of funds or sponsorship. Because of this, the VTA was able to complete the construction of a storage shed on the court premises to hold tennis related equipment and have somewhere members could temporarily call "home". This was even more valuable since the VTA is in a partnership with Greater Vernon Parks and Recreation and doesn't have courts or facilities of their own and has to rent these from Vernon Parks and Recreation. The VTA also contributed funds and support for a Federal/Provincial recreation infrastructure grant which was recently approved. One major project is the installation of lights at the tennis court which will greatly extend playing time - a major step in the right direction!

Because of the success of the VTA programs, and the junior players' enthusiam, the VTA ran a month of junior tennis league play with children from 6 to 15 years of age. It was so successfully received that both the players and their parents want the VTA to run a regular junior program next year. They say this will fill the gap between school and private tennis programs, and allow the children to play actual games with players of their own level.

In spite of the fact that the VTA is restricted in the amount of available court time (12 day-light hours/week) we have managed to offer the public an alternative to expensive private clubs and provide them with a variety of programs to suit all players and playing levels - and all of this in the very first season! With the tremendous support of our members, there is nowhere to go but UP from here. We hope negotiations with Greater Vernon Parks and Recreation go well for next season and the VTA can increase its court time and offer more and varied programs to an even greater number of players. Our website is: www.vernontennis.com - look us up.

Tennis is Alive and Well in Vernon!

Date: Aug 18, 2009

Entry: With the cold weather in the winter, it makes for great skiing and ice fishing... and dogs love it too!

Love the winters!

Date: Aug 18, 2009

Entry: Dragon Boating! There is nothing better than the team camaradarie, fresh air and good excercise to put the FUN into spring & summer by joining Vernon's mixed Dragon Boat team, Poseidon's Fury... Vernon's got it all, the lakes, the mountains, great climate for all kinds of summer and winter sports. Gotta love it!

Date: Aug 18, 2009

Entry: Dragon Boating! There is nothing better than the team camaradarie, fresh air and good excercise to put the FUN into spring & summer by joining Vernon's mixed Dragon Boat team, Poseidon's Fury... Vernon's...more

Date: Aug 10, 2009

Entry: Vernon is becoming a host City for large provincial, national and international sporting events and we have done it again! Announced on April 8th, 2009, The City of Vernon was selected to host the 2012 BC Winter Games!

The Press Release started it off......

President and CEO of the BC Games Society announced that Greater Vernon has been awarded the 2012 BC Winter Games.

“Greater Vernon is an exemplary community in its commitment to healthy, active living,” said the CEO. “It is a perfect place to host BC’s best young athletes who will be pursuing their dreams of athletic achievement at the 2012 BC Winter Games.”

The development of new sport facilities and experience hosting major events like the Ford Women’s World Curling Championships will contribute to a successful event in 2012.

“Hosting these Games will bring a significant economic boost to the region and give us another chance to show what a great sport host we are,” said MLA for Okanagan-Vernon. “We’ve demonstrated that we have the expertise, volunteer base, and community spirit to host a major sporting event and we look forward to doing it again in 2012.”

“On behalf of Council and the City of Vernon, I am very happy to have been advised that Vernon has been awarded the honour of hosting the 2012 BC Winter Games,” said the Vernon Mayor. “This announcement comes at a time when this event will inject a positive boost into our local economy. The BC Winter Games will also provide our community with an opportunity to showcase Vernon and the North Okanagan and enable all visitors to experience this beautiful area.”

The BC Winter Games are the largest winter multisport event in BC and are a vital step in the sport development pathway for the best young athletes in the province. Over 2500 athletes, coaches, and officials will participate in the Games that will be organized by a volunteer board of directors and approximately 2500 community volunteers.

Vernon is fast becoming a place for athletes to grow and develop and hosting these games continues to showcase the pride and energy this community has for sport development and healthy lifestyles. Vernon is GOLD!!!

Date: Aug 10, 2009

Entry: Vernon is becoming a host City for large provincial, national and international sporting events and we have done it again! Announced on April 8th, 2009, The City of Vernon was selected to host the 2012...more

Date: Aug 5, 2009

Entry: A most amazing event that can only be found in Vernon!

Rarearth Jazz and Blues Fest is an annual jazz and blues festival held in Vernon. 2008 was its inaugural year at the Kin Race track. 20 different bands (Junos Maple Leaf award winners) from across Canada and beyond perform jazz and blues over a two day period. The festival also features local artisans and food vendors and as well is environmentally friendly driven. The festival has a focus on the ‘family’, where families can celebrate the earth through music, educate and expose children to the music world, honour our elderly with some music of their generation, all in a safe environment within our city limits

A "Rare" festival held only in Vernon!

Date: Aug 5, 2009

Entry: The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has taken a lead role in promoting sustainability for business in our community. Through the development of a website, Eco-Chamber offers practical information and solutions to the business sector on how they can make their own business more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Businesses can access Eco-Tools, learn to "walk the talk", and link to sustainable business solutions!

The Vernon Chamber of Commerce is leading business to a sustainable future for all. Check out their website at:
http://www.vernonchamber.ca/eco-chamber/index.php

Date: Aug 5, 2009

Entry: The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has taken a lead role in promoting sustainability for business in our community. Through the development of a website, Eco-Chamber offers practical information and...more

Date: Aug 5, 2009

Entry: We live in a rural area known as Westshore Estates located just outside of Vernon. We have the most amazing neighbours anyone could ask for which makes our 30 minute commute to Vernon worth every second of the drive. A few years ago my husband retired and we decided to get a Bernese Mountain Dog and it was the best decision we ever made. On our daily dog walks, we started meeting more neighbours in our little community and before long, several neighbours started walking their dogs at the same time with the same group. It is now a daily ritual at 8:30am every morning....lots of dogs and lots of neighbours all walking together for a healthier lifestyle. Featured here is our Bernese Mountain dog, Kynan, along with his best buddy, Thunder!

Wiggle Waggle Walkin' Partners!

Date: Aug 5, 2009

Entry: At the Salmon Arm Dragon Boat Festival in early July, I stood on the wharf watching my two year old Dragon Boat team exhibit amazing synchronicity. Poseidon's Fury was a team built from an ad in the newspaper only one year ago.
They managed to close the time gap to take 3rd place at this festival and leave only 40/100's of a second between first, second and third! Spectacular paddling effort from a team I soooo LOVE to Coach!

Poseidon's Fury screech into 3rd place!!

Date: Aug 5, 2009

Entry: In early July, I agreed to coach a newly formed Dragon Boat team in Vernon BC. The Coldstream Meadows Mighty Dragons assembled on the beach one Tuesday evening for their first practice....sadly we were short several paddlers but away we went. The team was out of sync, out of time and we went back to the basics of "This is a Paddle". Over the following weeks, the team gathered other paddlers, became inspired and were ready to rock and roll at the Vernon Dragon Boat festival. Rock and Roll is exactly what they did placing FIRST in their division. They were the underdogs and they did it. The team had heart and spirit and they drove it into their paddles to put themselves in first place for the first time! What a pleasure it was to be their Coach!

Mighty Dragons find GOLD!

Date: Jul 28, 2009

Entry: The Vernon Kokanee Swim Club hosted its 1st Annual Open Water Challenge on July 25, 2009. The skies were blue, the water was calm, it was a beautiful day to launch this new event for Vernon! Approximately 40 participants swam a 1k or 3k course and ranged in age from 10 to 70. A great day was had by all!

Date: Jul 28, 2009

Entry: The Vernon Kokanee Swim Club hosted its 1st Annual Open Water Challenge on July 25, 2009. The skies were blue, the water was calm, it was a beautiful day to launch this new event for Vernon! Approximately...more

Date: Jul 20, 2009

Entry: A short tour of the Vernon Recreation Centre in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada.

Date: Jul 6, 2009

Entry: Western Canada’s largest slo-pitch tournament and music festival and the 25th annual slo-pitch tournament in Vernon saw 216 teams compete over four days, and the Lake City Casinos Music Festival drew 4,500 people on Friday night a sold-out Saturday night with 6,500 people singing to 5440 and March Hare on Sunday.

The sunny weather over the weekend was ideal for playing ball and sipping on beverages, and everybody was in great spirits. While most teams take in the lakes in between games, many ventured to the several tourism operators for a taste of the Okanagan.

Friday night was the first time that there has been country music played in the history of Funtastic, and AP left a lasting impression. This year's Funtastic will include slo-pitch, soccer, tennis, lawn bowling and music in several north Okanagan communities including Enderby, Armstrong and Vernon. The music festival will feature headliners AP Friday night, 5440 on Saturday and MH on Sunday.

While most of the 4,500 players who took part in the slo-pitch tournament over the weekend came from western Canada, Funtastic had one team coming all the way from New Mexico. The slo-pitch finals were held on Monday afternoon, with the New Mexico Ichiban team winning the competitive division. With comments such as “Awesome tournament!!!!” they are already pre-booking their spot for next year.

Funtastic is fortunate to have the business and community support, specifically from more than 425 volunteers who help to ensure we are able to host a first-class event and showcase our region. The scope of this event requires a legion of volunteers to ensure our guests have a memorable time in our area.

Along with being the marquee event on many sports calendars, Funtastic is one one of the most significant events in the North Okanagan for driving tourism and providing a significant economic benefit. While the business community benefits from the influx of visitors, Funtastic is directly involved with funding several worthwhile efforts and organizations in our community; and working toward building more playing fields and playgrounds as a lasting community legacy.

FUNTASTIC: Vernon’s premier sport and music event of the year!

Date: Jul 6, 2009

Entry: Most Creative Entry- City of Vernon
Best Municipality Entry - City of Vernon

Calgary Stampede 2009 City of Vernon Float

Date: Jul 3, 2009

Entry: You Tube Video of Greater Vernon

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