An official send-off for locals headed to the Canada Winter Games showed that Kamloops is proud of its athletes, coaches and officials -- and that Kamloops has a lot of which to be proud. Carolynn Boomer, general manager of PacificSport, kicked off the celebration, held in the lobby of the Tournament Capital Centre.

The Canada Winter Games only happen every four years. Needless to say it's a mighty privilege for those up-and-coming athletes chosen from the South Island.

When Team B.C. makes its entrance into the Halifax Metro Centre as part of the 2011 Canada Winter Games' opening ceremonies on Friday evening, an extremely happy Tori Spence will be at the head of the procession.