Big changes are coming to the annual Relay for Life event in the Battlefords.
The relay will move from its longtime Centennial Park venue inside to Battleford Arena in the town of Battleford for the event on June 5 of this year. It will also be a shorter event with the relay running six hours.
Beyond that, it will be similar in format to past years with a Survivors’ Lap, a Caregiver’s Lap and the relay itself featuring various team entries.
The changes were announced Thursday during the Canadian Cancer Society’s open house at their office in downtown North Battleford.
There are a number of reasons for the move, but the general feeling was it was time for some changes.
“We want to rejuvenate the event,” said Melissa Gerwing, Relay for Life specialist with the Canadian Cancer Society.
“We want to try and get as many people as we can out because it is a moving ceremony and a moving event.”
The belief is having a shorter indoor event will encourage more seniors and cancer survivors to take part. As well, organizers hope it will appeal to families who might not have been so willing to stay up for an all-night event outside.
“Mothers, fathers are going to be more apt to bring their family to a closed arena, especially with a six-hour event.”
It is also no secret the timing of the event, which usually coincides with other Relay for Life events held across Canada, is not ideal for the outdoor conditions typically seen in Saskatchewan in the spring.
Relay for Life chair Donna Roske said weather has been an issue. Recent years have seen snow, rain, wind and often cold conditions at Centennial Park. A couple of years ago weather conditions were so bad that participants had to finish the relay inside the Civic Centre.
“Being indoors, we’re hoping to get a lot more people coming out and supporting us,” said Roske.
The change to Battleford Arena is similar to what has been seen at other Relay for Life events around Saskatchewan, which have also moved indoors.
Because the event will be inside, the luminaries placed around the track will be battery-powered LEDs instead of candles.
The organizers are still looking for teams for this year’s event, as well as volunteers. Teams can enter by registering online at relayforlife.ca/sk. Donations are also accepted at that website.
So far 15 teams are registered and organizers have set a target of 24 entries that they hope will enter. They are hoping for 150 survivors to come out and celebrate, and also need 90 volunteers.
Last year, more than 240 people participated in the event, according to organizers.
