The city of Thompson, Manitoba, recently celebrated a successful turn hosting the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games, an event powered by Manitoba Hydro. The games, which took place from March 1 to March 7, 2026, relied on the dedication of approximately 700 local volunteers to support more than 1,500 athletes, as well as coaches, managers, and officials.
Among those recognized for their contributions was 17-year-old Elizabeth Woodford. A high school student, Woodford spent her spring break volunteering every day at the games. She took on multiple roles, including serving in access control and acting as a runner to ensure the smooth operation of events. Her commitment stood out as an example of the volunteer spirit that made the games possible.
The 2026 games marked a historic milestone for the city, as it became the first community to host the provincial winter event for a third time, following previous games in 1994 and 2018. The event utilized several key locations across the city, including the Thompson Regional Community Centre, R.D. Parker Collegiate, and Mystery Mountain Winter Park.
The infrastructure used for the competition received several improvements in preparation for the games. Upgrades included a new gymnasium curtain divider and railing at R.D. Parker Collegiate, renovated change rooms at Mystery Mountain Winter Park, new scoreboards and shot clocks at the Bill Comaskey Gym, and updated benches in the dressing rooms at the Thompson Regional Community Centre. These additions are part of the lasting legacy left behind for the local community by the games, which were led by co-executive directors Todd Harwood and Cristy Andres.
