New Westminster – New Westminster’s Torch Relay Celebration Community flag was raised in Friendship Garden adjacent to City Hall earlier today. The flag has been flying atop City Hall since New Westminster’s status as an official celebration community was announced in November 2008. The move kicks-off the one year countdown to the City’s Torch Relay Celebration to be held in Queens Park on February 9, 2010.

“We are very proud of our status as an Official Celebration Community,” said Mayor Wayne Wright. “Moving the flag to our Friendship Garden is symbolic of the spirit of international friendship and cooperation that mark the Olympic movement. I can’t think of a better place to put our flag on display.”

Planning for New Westminster’s Torch Relay Celebrations will be spearheaded by the city’s Celebrations Task Force, with membership from local stakeholder groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Arts Council of New Westminster, Hyack Festival Association, Downtown Business Improvement Association, New Westminster Spirit Committee and others.

“As the event begins to take shape, we’ll be sharing details with the community and asking everyone to get involved.” said Rick Page, Celebrations Task Force Chair. “Coming on the heels of our 150th celebrations, the Torch Relay event gives our city yet another chance to shine.”

About the 2010 Torch Relay

The 106-day Torch Relay will be the largest in Olympic history, beginning on October 30, 2009 and ending on February 12, 2010 as the Flame arrives in Vancouver for the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Games. The route will stretch over 45,000 kilometres throughout Canada through over 1000 communities and places of interest. The Flame will stop in nearly 200 communities where regional celebrations will be held.

Residents interested in applying for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame can apply at iCoke.ca or rbc.com/carrythetorch. Coca-Cola and RBC, the relay’s presenting partners, have the exclusive rights for the public to enter the Olympic Torchbearer program and are looking for Canadian applicants who commit to live healthier or are inspired to create a stronger country by volunteering or making sustainable choices.

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Contact:

Blair Fryer, Communications Manager
City of New Westminster
Phone: 604-527-4688