It will be a quick turn around for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band to host the upcoming Tony Cote Summer Games.
It was announced on Wednesday that La Ronge will be the host about 8 moths out from the event..
Kevin Roberts, Director of Sports and Recreation for the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, says LLRIB received the bid late after Onion Lake Cree Nation, who was previously awarded the bid, backed out.
Roberts says a few renovations of facilities will need to take place before the games, but he is confident the band will get the job done.
“We are pretty confident in our ability to host the event in a small time frame. We have done it before and we can do it again,” said Roberts. “We have the space and the existing facilities, they just need an upgrade.”
The band was in a similar situation when they hosted the games in 2001.
For Roberts, he told MBC Radio News he hopes this year’s games will bring a legacy of improved facilities for youth in the community.
“That’s what we are hoping for from these games is some good facility development for the community.”
The Tony Cote Summer Games will take place on August 3-10.
Indigenous youth from across the province will compete in several different events – including athletics, archery, canoe/kayaking, archery, beach volleyball, golf, soccer, and softball.