Never underestimate the importance of sports to a community.
Having an active population, with the facilities needed to support those activities, is a vital component to the overall health and quality of life in any municipality.
Take the District of Mission for example.
Sports has been in the headlines many times this past few weeks. From the planned creation of a much needed artificial turf field and skateboard park, to the newly formed sports council, the signing of a local football star (see page 11) and the Outlaws hockey squad’s impressive playoff run, sports has taken centre stage.
Whether it be recreational or competitive, participant or spectator, sports has a way of bonding a community together.
Take the Mission 2014 BC Winter Games. The event was a huge success that brought out the best of this community. The public, whether through volunteering or just acting as spectators, rallied around the games in a show of support.
Now we have the chance to do that again, be it on a smaller scale.
The four best junior B hockey teams in B.C. are in Mission this weekend for the Cyclone Taylor Cup provincial championships. The Mission Outlaws are the host squad and play every evening, starting tonight, for the next three days.
Hockey fans from North Vancouver, Kimberley and Campbell River are coming to the community to cheer on their squads.
It’s our job to show that same support for the Outlaws.
Events like this don’t come often and Missionites should fill the arena to the rafters and show their pride.
So let’s root for the home team, cheer on the players and support our community.