Sport Manitoba announced a successful bid from the Town of Virden and RMs of Pipestone, Woodsworth-Wallace, and Sifton, to be the Host Community for the 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games.

“We look forward to the thrill of competition as Manitoba’s top athletes bring their best effort to these games,” said Rochelle Squires, Minister of Sports, Culture and Heritage. “This is a great experience for the athletes and great for these communities to pull together as a host committee that will proudly welcome athletes and visitors from all around the province.”

The 2018 Power Smart Manitoba Winter Games will be held February 25 – March 3, 2018, involving up to 1,800 participants and 1,000 volunteers. Sporting events include archery, badminton, cross country ski, curling, figure skating, gymnastics, hockey, ringette, speed skating, wrestling and table tennis. This is the first time speed skating has participated in the Power Smart Games.

"The Power Smart Manitoba Games are extremely important to the development of athletes and coaches in our province. Amongst the participants in Virden in 2018 will be future Canada Games athletes and hopefully future Olympians" said Laurel Read, Interim CEO. "We congratulate Virden and the Rural Municipalities on their successful bid to host the Games in 2018 and look forward to working with their team of volunteers over the coming months to develop amateur sport in our province."

“Manitoba Hydro continues to be very proud to provide our ongoing support to the Power Smart Manitoba Games. We congratulate the Town of Virden on their successful bid to host the 2018 Winter Games,” Manitoba Hydro President & CEO Kelvin Shepherd said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Manitobans to gather together in support of young athletes across the province. The success of the games depends on tremendous community support and volunteerism. Virden is aptly suited to deliver a remarkable games experience for athletes and attendees alike.”

The process to become a Host Community requires that interested communities submit a formal bid package detailing plans for athlete services, hospitality, volunteers, organization structure, sport facilities and finances. The host site selection committee, consisting of Sport Manitoba and the Manitoba Games Council, evaluate bids and perform on-site facility evaluations before choosing the successful candidate. This will be Virden’s second time hosting these Games. They first hosted the province's largest ongoing multi-sport event in the summer of 2000.

“Virden and the surrounding area are pleased to have the opportunity to host this event. Virden has been the most recent Westman town to host, and that was in 2000,” said bid co-chair Carly Hayward. “Not only will we have the opportunity to showcase our recreational facilities, but the economic impacts of this event will assist in the sustainability of our recreational facilities,” added bid co-chair Tara Cowan.