The reason cited was to protect the health and safety of the athletes, volunteers, spectators, event staff and residents of Lloydminster. The games had originally been scheduled for July 26 to Aug. 1 in 2020 and was postponed to summer 2021. Now it is off altogether, but the plan is to return the event to its normal four-year cycle in 2024. Lloydminster will have right of first refusal to host the games. “The athletes’ safety and comfort is paramount,” said Kevin Kusch, chair of the 2021 Sask. Summer Games host society, in a statement. “Considering the guidelines in place for competitive team sports such as baseball, soccer, and rugby, to name just a few, as a Host Society, we cannot offer athletes and their supporters the experience they deserve. From the beginning, our board has maintained the games need to be a memorable event. For many athletes, this is their first experience competing at the provincial level, and as a host society, one of our duties is to provide
By Mitchell Blair
Dec 21, 2020 5:45 PM
Saying it is to protect the safety and health of all involved, it has been decided that the 2021 Saskatchewan Summer Games that were to be held in Lloydminster has been cancelled.
The event was to have gone in Lloydminster this past summer, but they were postponed because of the pandemic.
“The athletes’ safety and comfort is paramount. Considering the guidelines in place for competitive team sports such as baseball, soccer, and rugby, to name just a few, as a Host Society, we cannot offer athletes and their supporters the experience they deserve.” 2021 Chair Kevin Kusch said. “From the beginning, our board has maintained the Games need to be a memorable event. For many athletes, this is their first experience competing at the provincial level, and as a host society, one of our duties is to provide them with a true Saskatchewan Summer Games experience. We look ahead to welcoming the athletes, coaches and families when it is sa
The Games were originally scheduled for July 26 to August 1, 2020, but were postponed until summer 2021 during the first wave of the pandemic after an agreement was reached between the three parties in April 2020. The decision was informed through consultation with stakeholders, government and health officials. Following the cancellation of these Games, the event will return to its quadrennial cycle, with the next Summer Games taking place in 2024. Saskatchewan Games host communities are typically awarded through a bid process, but due to circumstances surrounding the cancellation of the 2021 Summer Games, the Saskatchewan Games Council will provide the city of Lloydminster the right of first refusal to host the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games.