The rural northeastern Alberta community of Lac La Biche welcomed the world on Monday afternoon, as 250 athletes from 28 countries were "waved into" the community with an opening ceremonies parade. Lining the street toward the outdoor ceremony were hundreds of residents from the community of about 8,500 people, most waving flags representing the countries taking part in the 2024 World Archery Field Championships.
Athletes from Japan, India, Croatia, Great Britain, the United States and Canada took part in the short parade walk along the lakeshore street leading to the outdoor amphitheatre at the community's civic centre.
Dignitaries from Lac La Biche County, along with representatives from neighbouring first nation and Métis communities also welcomed the athletes and the fans who are following the event.
The right word
With the bow and arrow a long-used implement of the Indigenous cultures, Beaver Lake Cree Nation band councillor Leonard Jackson – who said most of his welcome remarks in Cree – got a laugh from the athletes and the audience gathered in McArthur Park when paused, tilted his head and said with a smile: "I don't know if there is a Cree word for archery."
The laughter was part of the warm reception offered to the athletes. Lakeland Archers president Rene Schaub said it is that welcoming spirit that has helped bring the world games to the small community. Lac La Biche and his archery club also hosted the 2019 World 3D Archery Championships, three national events and many provincial championships. Schaub, who has been a Team Canada archery coach at other world events, as well as a World Archery senior judge, said he is proud of the club, the volunteers and the community.
The 2024 World Archery Field Championships will run from September 16-22, with qualifying knock-out rounds taking place at the Herb Erickson Archery Lanes along the Mission Road about five kilometres west of Lac La Biche, the home of the Lakeland Archery Club.
Spectators are welcome at the archery lanes, as well as several community-focused events throughout the week, including a local rodeo and cultural demonstrations. A full listing of the events, dates and times can be found on the official World Archery schedule which is available on the Lakeland This Week website, on the social media pages of Lakeland This Week and on the Lakeland Archers website.
Economic windfall for Lac La Biche
Government of Alberta officials are projecting millions of new dollars will be pumped into the Lac La Biche region over the next few days as the community welcomes the world's best archers.
In a news release issued on September 16 – just a few hours before the 4:30 pm. athletes parade and opening ceremonies at Lac La Biche's McArthur Park – touted the week-long World Outdoor Field Championships being held in the Lac La Biche community.
"The Championships are expected to inject up to $2.3 million into the local economy as visitors support businesses in the region with increased dining, shopping, and entertainment and accommodation bookings," notes the news release, which is a joint statement from Alberta's Minister of Tourism and Sport Joseph Schow, the MLA for the Lac La Biche area, and the president of the Lakeland Archers.
With more than 1,000 spectators anticipated and 250 athletes from 29 countries, the week-long event will once again put the Lac La Biche community on the world's sporting map, notes the region's MLA.
"Outdoorsman's Paradise"
“This great event will showcase one of Alberta’s true hidden gems and top-notch facilities. Lac La Biche is an outdoorsman’s paradise and there is no better place to host an archery event of this calibre. Welcome everyone to Alberta, and may the best shot win," says Brian Jean.
Many of the world's top archers are already aware of the hospitality shown in the Lac La Biche area, as the community has become a regular fixture on the archery provincial, national and global circuit, having hosted the Canadian 3D Indoor Championships in both 2017 and 2021, and the World Archery 3D Championships in 2019. Lac La Biche is also scheduled to host the Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships in 2025.
Rene Schaub Lakeland Archers president, who has also been a Team Canada archery coach and a world archery judge, says the community has a growing reputation for putting on a great show and welcoming the world with open arms.
“This will be the first time Canada has hosted the World Archery Field Championships, and it is a great privilege and an honour. We can’t wait for athletes from around the world to experience the passion and dedication of our volunteers and our community," Schaub said.
Team Alberta
Included in the athletes competing for top honours are several Team Canada shooters, including three standout archers from Alberta will represent Team Canada. In the compound division, Cameron Palichuk and Cory Smandych will showcase their skills. Palichuk, from Blackfalds, ranked ninth overall at the 2024 Pan American Championships, and Smandych, a Calgarian, is a multi-time Canadian champion and seven-time Alberta Provincial champion. In the under 21 compound division, Damon Polowaniuk, from Sturgeon County, made headlines by setting a new U21 Men’s Pan American Championship record at the 2024 Youth Masters Pan American Championships. Polowaniuk finished the competition fifth overall, earning a gold medal in the Men’s Team event and a bronze in the Mixed Team round.
• Video Chris McGarry