La Ronge Gears Up For Torch’s Arrival
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 12:12
After extensive planning and preparation, the La Ronge Torch Committee is ready to greet the Olympic flame — almost.
Committee chair Tammy Fiske says there are still some last-minute details to be worked out before a jet carrying the torch — and between 50 and 60 personnel from the Vancouver Olympic Committee — touches down at the La Ronge Airport on Saturday.
In fact, Fiske admits, even she doesn’t know everything about what the big event will look like.
“So much of this stuff has been kept under such tight seal that we are still getting information as to what is going to go on that day, from (the) Vancouver (team),” she says.
However, Fiske also knows how much work she, her team and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s team have put into perfecting the day’s schedule — and she’s also confident in the Olympic organizers.
“It’s huge. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This isn’t something that just happens every four years when the Olympics happens. They’ve put hours and hours, and months and years, into this planning of this relay,” she says.
Saturday’s events kick off at 8 a.m. with a “gourmet” pancake breakfast at Kikinahk Friendship Centre, followed by the “parade of people” at 10:15 a.m.
That’s when thousands are expected to line the official torch relay route to await the torch’s arrival.