Getting ready to host the North American Indigenous Games is almost a sporting event in itself.
The interim CEO for the games, Ron Crowe, is running hard as he tackles some big issues and tries to clear a couple of hurdles.
“Just given the nature of our mandate and our activities, I’m sweating every day,” he says.
Crowe was dropped into the CEO job a couple of weeks ago but was already the volunteer chair for the games before taking on his new role.
The games are now just over four months away and will begin July 20 in Regina.
Young Aboriginal athletes from all over North America will compete in 15 different sports.
The games will require more than 30 different venues in the city, all of which will need volunteers.
NAIG organizers are still looking for a venue for swimming events.
Swimming competition was originally supposed to be held at the Lawson Aquatic Centre but this facility will be unavailable due to renovations.
Crowe says in the meantime, organizers will continue to look for an alternate venue.
“We are working with SWIM Saskatchewan, the sanctioning body, we are working very closely with them to resolve this issue and we are looking at our options right now.”
Rounding up volunteers is another major challenge.
Thirty-five-hundred volunteers will be needed and so far less than 500 have signed up but Crowe says he is not worried.
As the games get closer, the number of volunteers will increase, he says.
“That is the advice from other host communities. Many of the volunteers come in during the last minute, so to speak, so within the last month.”
And, of course, there is always the challenge of money.
The budget is about $10.5 million which is small compared to similar events.
Government funding will provide $7 million and the rest will have to come from fundraising and corporate sponsorships.
Crowe says about two-thirds of the fundraising goal has been raised.
“I think we are sitting in a good spot right now and we need to follow up and tie up some loose ends to make sure we can accommodate the needs or our sponsors and our contributors to the North American Indigenous Games.”
Crowe was appointed interim CEO at the beginning of March, taking over from Glen Pratt who was placed on paid leave.
Pratt is the subject of harassment allegations leveled by three women who worked for the games.
An independent human resources company from Regina is conducting an internal investigation.
Its report will be submitted to the NAIG board of directors within the next couple of weeks.
The board will then decide Pratt’s future.