Delta Gymnastics sure know how to throw a party.
It was sometime during their 40th anniversary season when there was the opportunity to take their biggest competition weekend of the year to an entirely different level.
On top of the annual Delta Invitational, it was B.C.'s turn to host the 2016 Western Canadian Championships. Delta put together a successful bid but wasn't done yet. The Provincial Gymnaestrada was taking place at roughly the same time and organizers seeked that too.
The three events have come together for a one shot deal that will showcase the sport in a huge way. The Best of the West Gymnastics Fest runs from Thursday to Sunday at the Richmond Olympic Oval - featuring over 1,800 athletes, ranging of all ages and ability.
"We have never had something
like this in B.C. before," said Delta Gymnastics Director of Marketing Carlene Lewall, who has been involved with the club since its early days in the mid-1970s. "We can easily say its largest competition ever held in B.C. It may not be the highest level like a Pacific Rim Championship but it's a celebration of the sport - participation and active for life."
It's taken months of planning and, finally, organizers have reached the homestretch. The response has been beyond expectations.
The Delta Invitational typically attracts 750 competitors. That number has ballooned to over 1,000 with additional entries coming from far away as Nunavut. There will be 250 athletes representing their provinces at Westerns and another 500 competing in Provincial Gymnaestrada.
They were able to hold all three events over just four days thanks to the size of the Olympic Oval and overwhelming cooperate support. The Westerns will run
from Thursday-to-Saturday and the Delta Invitational Saturday and Sunday. Gymnaestrada will also take place over both weekend days, however, Saturday is exclusively workshops which will be held at a partnering hotel - Sheraton Vancouver Airport.
Gymnaestrada is for for anyone of any age or skill level and features a variety of performances as a team. The event is not only completely full, nearly 700 tickets for Sunday's performances have all been sold. There is also expected to be a big crowd for the Cash and Carry Cup - the pinnacle event of the Delta Invitational that features national level athletes competing for cash prizes to assist with training.
"Gymnastics B.C. laughed at us when we first told them what we wanted to do," said Delta Gymnastics executive director Ana Arciniega. "We thought could really celebrate the activity and sport of gymnastics.
"This is a unique event and there won't be another one. To do
it is pretty amazing and we think it will be a model for other sports to partner with recreational sides. There should be a celebration of sports at different levels. Were hoping its a new standard we are setting."
It also has taken a massive venue like the Richmond Oval to pull it off and working with their staff to put it all together.
"The Oval has been fantastic to work with," added Arciniega. "They have been there every step of the way to guide and help us. It has taken a year to get to this point.
"All our partner hotels are sold out too. Richmond should be happy. The economic impact will be significant."
Delta will have eight athletes on Team B.C. competing at Westerns. They include: Conor Edgson (National Open), Cole Schallig (Provincial 5), Que Bidewell (Provincial 4), Hunter Woodhead (Elite 3), Russell Woodward (Elite 3), Lucas Lui (Elite 3), Ella Rogers (JO 9 2003-05), Sophie Anderson (JO 9 2003-05).
