The recently completed Winter Paralympics was one of if not the best ever held.
Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows was an Official Celebration Community and Michal rose in the house today to give the following Two-Minute Statement about our community’s efforts.
PARALYMPIC TORCH RELAY
IN MAPLE RIDGE–PITT MEADOWS
M. Sather: It is my pleasure to rise in the House today to commend my constituency of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows for its enthusiastic display of Paralympic spirit.
On March 10, the Paralympic Torch Relay passed through Maple Ridge with the main event being held in Memorial Peace Park. Ceremonies opened with the Kwantlen First Nation bringing the flame to light the torch and then performing a traditional song. Afterwards the 5,000 local residents who attended watched as the 32 torchbearers, like local Paralympian Jennifer McKenzie, carried the torch around the park in a celebration that featured live entertainment and was aided by cooperative weather.
The enthusiasm of the crowd was palpable, with many cheers as the torchbearers proudly paraded by. That the community showed such spirit is not surprising. In fact, it is in keeping with Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows’ character of inclusion and acceptance.
There are several Paralympians who call Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows home, and this past summer the community had the honour of hosting the 2009 B.C. Disability Games. With the community’s full support, the games were a complete success. I was privileged to hang medals around the necks of winners at the award ceremonies. The spirit I saw there was much like what I had witnessed at the torch relay, leaving no wonder as to why Maple Ridge was designated an official celebration community.
I would like to extend kudos to the torchbearers, volunteers and citizens of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows for making such a memorable torch relay possible. Events like this show our Paralympians that their games matter just as much as the Olympics and serves to affirm our support of all athletes.
