The countdown for Pembina Valley athletes heading to the 1978 Manitoba Winter Games in Dauphin began in Carman on Feb. 24–26. A committee consisting of president Frank McKinnon, vice-president George Gray, secretary Roberta Dinnin, treasurer Ian Murdoch and games co-ordinator Allison Bell was formed to organize the event, which featured 10 sports, nine subcommittees and more than 500 participants.
The Games were financed with $4,000 in provincial grants, along with revenue from admissions, business donations and the sale of promotional items. The town and the RM agreed to cover any deficit or disperse any profit back into recreation. The festivities began with the opening ceremonies, held at Carman Collegiate on the Thursday of Games week.
MC McKinnon welcomed more than 400 people to a roast beef sportsman’s dinner featuring Blue Bombers general manager Earl Lunsford as guest speaker, along with several other invited “celebrities.” The evening included the traditional torch lighting—performed by nine-year-old Kevin Turnbull, who had rescued and returned the stolen Games flag—the athlete march, and a performance by the Sonatrice Singers, who introduced their self-composed song This Is Your Time, accompanied by the Collegiate band.
On Friday, events began at 4:30 p.m. despite a blizzard. Several teams and officials were unable to make the trek, prompting last-minute rescheduling, but the day wrapped up with a youth talent show. Saturday brought a full slate of competition from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., followed by a dance featuring Boyne Flood from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Some of Sunday’s finals went into overtime before the closing ceremonies could begin.
A profit of $1,970.03 was split between the Community Hall fund and the tennis courts in King’s Park.
The Food Service Committee drew on the efforts of several women’s groups. The Anglican, United, Gospel Light, Mennonite and Catholic churches, along with the Rebekahs and Eastern Star ladies, all pitched in. Meals were planned for nutrition and affordability, including a well-received special turkey dinner. Carman Fruit and Vegetable was the food tender, but when the supply ran short, The Fireside Inn stepped in to provide 100 servings of meat.
Despite some complaints about the $5 athlete registration fee, it covered participation, five meals, entertainment, admission to all events and billeting if required — a $1,000 value today.
At the Dauphin Games, Carman’s hockey team won silver. Lindal Revel earned gold and Linda Prine of Roseisle took silver in cross-country skiing. St. Claude’s Marina Philipot captured gold in judo, and Cam Stockford won gold in speed skating.
Co-ordinator Allison reflected: “It was such an uplifting job, to be honest, with a lot of excitement about hosting three days of sporting events. I believe there were some who felt it was too great an undertaking, but it worked out great! There were so many things going on behind the scenes — not the least of which was feeding the athletes and coaches. An amazing team of women, chaired by Marie Robinson, coordinated all the meals. I have mostly great memories of my position with the Carman recreation department and the positivity surrounding bringing the Regional Games to Carman.”
