Greater Vernon was one of the first cities to offer a Special Olympics program in B.C., starting about 35 years ago.

Yet in all that time, the city and surrounding region has never hosted a provincial Special Olympics Games.

That will change.

Special Olympics B.C. president and CEO Dan Howe announced Tuesday morning at the Vernon Recreation Centre that Greater Vernon has been selected as host for the 2019 Special Olympics B.C. Winter Games.

The Games will run Feb. 21-23 next year.

鈥淲e are very, very pleased to be able to come to Greater Vernon for these Winter Games,鈥� said Howe. 鈥淭he Games are exciting and a motivating experience for the athletes.

鈥淐ompetitors showcase their talents and the true power and joy of sport, and they open their hearts and minds to the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities, changing the way the world sees this population that is too often forgotten or excluded. We know Greater Vernon is home to outstanding venues and volunteers that will give our athletes the highest quality competitive experiences they deserve.鈥�

The Games in Vernon will be the largest Winter Games in Special Olympics B.C. history, thanks to the addition of five-pin bowling, which moves to the winter schedule from its traditional Summer Games slot.

Sports at the Greater Vernon Games will include five-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing and speed skating.

They are the provincial qualifiers for Special Olympics Canada Games.

Special Olympics B.C.鈥檚 four-year competition cycle is the centre piece of the organization鈥檚 competitive experiences. In the current winter cycle, athletes compete this season in regional qualifiers in hopes of earning a spot to the 2019 Games.

Nobody knows that better than Vernon Special Olympics cross-country skier Justin Sigal.

In 2015, Sigal qualified at regionals in Kelowna to advance to the B.C. Winter Games in Kamloops, where he won a bronze medal in a five-kilometre event. That allowed Sigal to qualify for the Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Nfld., where he won a pair of medals to qualify for the 2017 World Games in Austria.

There, Sigal brought home two more medals, silver and bronze.

鈥淭he Games in Kamloops were my first important competition,鈥� said Sigal, 28, with the Kamloops bronze medal draped around his neck. 鈥淚 was nervous, not knowing what to expect. But I skied hard and fast and won bronze. It was my first medal and led me here today. I was stoked about my success.鈥�

Sigal hopes to compete in his hometown in 2019.

鈥淔or me, being part of Special Olympics means inclusiveness, teamwork, friendship, travel opportunities, working hard, being committed, dedicated, and having fun,鈥� he said.

The Vernon Games will probably need about 1,000 volunteers and Mayor Akbal Mund has no doubt that number will be easily met.

鈥淚 know this community comes out to volunteer,鈥� said Mund. 鈥淲e never seem to have a problem in our community for volunteers to host these Games. People will come out in droves and we鈥檒l probably have more volunteers than we need.鈥�

The Vernon School District is another partner in the Games, as the more than 800 coaches, athletes and support staff will be housed at Vernon schools during the event.

鈥淲e look forward to opening our schools to the athletes and coaches as a place to unwind and focus on their competitions, a place for them to get rest and nourishment needed to perform well and a place to call home during this exciting time,鈥� said school district board chair person Kelly Smith.

鈥淭he dedication show by the competitors at these Games mirrors the dedication shown by our students in Greater Vernon.鈥�

The top performers in Greater Vernon will qualify for spots on Team B.C. for the 2020 Special Olympics Canada Games in Thunder Bay, Ont., which will be the qualifier for the 2021 Special Olympics World Winter Games.