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The 2020 Arctic Winter Games reached another milestone on Thursday, with 100 Days to Go until the start of the Games.

鈥淲e鈥檙e just 100 days away from the start of the 2020 Arctic Winter Games, so now the final preparations begin,鈥� said president of the Host Society, George Arcand. 鈥淭his is a great opportunity to showcase the Yukon鈥檚 hospitality to the circumpolar north while providing spectators with exciting, fast-paced competition and unique, engaging performances throughout the week.

Yukon dignitaries were on hand, and minister of community services John Streicker said it鈥檚 just starting to hit home with how close the Games are.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting milestone and I am happy to mark it,鈥� said John Streicker. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be great to have the 2020 Games here in Whitehorse. If it didn鈥檛 feel like it before it鈥檚 starting to feel quite real. Very, very real.鈥�

Streicker said the 100 days out is more than just a number, it鈥檚 time to shift gears.

鈥淲e will shift from planning to rolling out the plans,鈥� said Streicker. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also an important date for all the athletes and participants from around the circumpolar world who will attend the Games.鈥�

The trials for the 21 sports are well underway here in the Yukon and will continue until January.

Dec. 5 was also International Volunteer Day. In recognition, the AWG office remained open until 7 p.m. to allow extra time for volunteer sign-up and completion of the mandatory criminal record check.

Streicker stressed that volunteers are the backbone of an even like the Arctic Winter Games.

鈥淎n event like this takes literately 1000s of volunteers. These Games couldn鈥檛 happen without you and I understand we are now at 1,242 volunteers,鈥� said Streicker.

The Arctic Winter Games Host Society鈥檚 goal is to have 1,800 volunteers by the time Games begin on March 15. Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis is confident Yukoners will rally to meet that target.

鈥淚 have no doubt that 1,250 is going to exceed 2,000 as long as Bev Buckway is on the job pounding the pavement,鈥� said Curtis. 鈥淭he amazing volunteers, here for this international volunteer day, are working so hard to ensure the most successful Games ever.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not always about the sport, it鈥檚 not always about the people who will have the opportunity. It鈥檚 about the opportunity you are giving so many people across the globe to see what we have to offer.鈥�

Arcand said the volunteers and staff and working hard behind the scenes to make the next 100 days count.

鈥淓arlier in this week we launched the sale of super passes,鈥� said Arcand. 鈥淣ext week, tickets for gold medal hockey and opening ceremonies will go up for sale.鈥�

The super pass tickets are good for all indoor competitions throughout the week of the Games except gold medal hockey. They are $40 for adults and $30 for youth and seniors. Children under two are free. Passes are available at the AWG office and City Hall as well as online at shop.awg.2020.org.

Also as part of the celebration, the Host Society announced Yukon Energy鈥檚 $100,000 sponsorship of the Games.

Yukon Energy joins the team as sponsor of the Volunteer Program, as well as Arctic Sports and Dene Games.

鈥淥ur $100,000 contribution to the Arctic Winter Games is a testament of our commitment to Yukon culture and sport and to the communities and individuals we are privileged to serve,鈥� said Lesley Cabott, chair Yukon Energy Corporation board of directors.

鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to be a major part of the Games and to be able to celebrate the hard work and commitment of all the volunteers, athletes, coaches and staff that will be a part of it.鈥�