Latest news with #Aquarena
CBC
11-08-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Paradise's Gavin Baggs wins N.L's first medal at Canada Summer Games
Newfoundland and Labrador swimmer Gavin Baggs says swimming in front of a hometown crowd is unlike anything he's ever done before — and it culminated in the host province's first medal at the Games being placed around his neck. On Sunday, Baggs won a silver medal in the Men's 400m Freestyle Para. "It's a sense of just honour and pride," Baggs, 18, told CBC News. "This means so much," he said. "It's just an honour to be able to represent my province and absolutely an honour to win a medal for them." The newly renovated Aquarena — a venue built for the last time St. John's hosted the Canada Summer Games in 1977 — was at full capacity for races on Sunday. Now, 48 years and a large-scale renovation later, Canada Games athletes dove back in. WATCH | Gavin Baggs says he's never felt anything like a hometown crowd: 'Just an honour': Gavin Baggs of Paradise wins N.L.'s first medal at the 2025 Canada Games 13 hours ago Baggs, a multi-sport athlete competing in his fourth Canada Games, believes the newly revamped pool will open doors for other local swimmers to have the same opportunity in the future. "For any swimmer in Newfoundland, and any young swimmer in Newfoundland, we have the ability now to train at a high-performance pool. And the Aquarena before was a really great pool. But now that it was revamped for Canada Games, it's just at a whole other level," he said. The first Gold medal of the Canada Games was awarded to Isabella Cooper of Ontario. Cooper, 16, set a new Canada Games record in the Women's 1,500m freestyle. It was a record that had previously stood for 12 years. "I didn't think that would be, like, something that would happen. So I'm just really happy with how that went," Cooper said. "It's a big honour to be able to wear this medal, and I'm very excited to see what happens through the rest of the Games. Another historic moment came in the Women's 400M freestyle S6-S13 event when P.E.I.'s Veronica MacLellan won a Bronze medal, marking just the third time in Canada Games history the province has won a medal in the pool. "I was just sitting there and my coach came up to me, and he was like 'Veronica, you are the third swimmer, like, in P.E.I. to get a medal here.' And I was like 'What? There's no way!' It's crazy. It's like a dream," she said. Swimming events will continue until Friday. Monday will mark Day 2 of competition, with Canoe Kayak, Road Cycling, Rugby Sevens and Sailing set to begin.
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Just an honour': Gavin Baggs of Paradise wins N.L.'s first medal at the 2025 Canada Games
The first medals of the Canada Games were handed out at the Aquarena on Sunday, with a member of Team N.L. taking home silver. The CBC's Alex Kennedy was poolside, and has this report.
CBC
10-08-2025
- Sport
- CBC
'Just an honour': Gavin Baggs of Paradise wins N.L.'s first medal at the 2025 Canada Games
The first medals of the Canada Games were handed out at the Aquarena on Sunday, with a member of Team N.L. taking home silver. The CBC's Alex Kennedy was poolside, and has this report.
CBC
10-06-2025
- Sport
- CBC
See inside the Aquarena as its multi-million dollar makeover is in the home stretch
The multi-purpose facility in St. John's has come full circle. The Aquarena was built for the Canada Games in 1977, and it's getting this upgrade for the games in August. The CBC's Jeremy Eaton takes us inside to see what's new.
CBC
30-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
100 days out, organizers say the final push for Canada Games prep is going strong
The 2025 Canada Summer Games are 100 days away, and officials in the host city of St. John's say everything is on track for the largest Games ever. "To see it from ... 2020 when we were awarded the opportunity to bid to where we are, over five years later now, and seeing all these plans come together … it is just so exciting." Karen Sherriffs, CEO of the Canada Games Host Society, told CBC News Monday. "There's just something amazing about the Games. You're bringing together all these athletes who have trained for many, many years. For many, it will be the pinnacle of their athletic [career]." Newfoundland and Labrador will welcome over 4,200 participants across Canada competing in 244 events in 19 sports from Aug. 8-25. It's expected to have an economic impact of about $125 million. More than 5,000 volunteers are also needed to pull off the event. Karl Smith, the host society's co-chair, said about 4,000 have committed so far but is confident they will reach their goal. Smith said the 22 venues in use over the course of the Games are coming together and will be ready for competition. WATCH | The CBC's Ryan Cooke reports from venues taking shape: In 100 days, N.L. will play host to thousands for the 2025 Canada Games 34 minutes ago Duration 1:30 For a little over two weeks in August, 4,200 participants will descend upon host city St. John's, and surrounding areas, for the 2025 Canada Games. The CBC's Ryan Cooke has this tee-up as the countdown kicks into high gear. "They're all going to be player -ready when the Games come around, including the Aquarena. 'Cause I know a lot of people have heard things about the Aquarena, but that's falling in place as well," Smith said. "I'm feeling absolutely fantastic. We can't wait to put the Games off." The host society will hold an event on Wednesday afternoon to mark 100 days to go and unveil the design of the medals athletes will be vying for. Leaving a legacy St. John's will host the Canada Summer Games for the first time since 1977. It's impact is still felt by those who experienced it and through legacy venues like the Aquarena, Sherriffs said, adding the group behind this Games want to create a similar legacy. "I think that's what motivates us each and every day. The ability to host our country, and we will be the largest ever Canada Games," she said. "That motivation of what is left after the Games, you know, I think that's truly the special part." Smith said more will also stay behind beside the venues, citing the gain of a knowledge base that could lead to more opportunities for the city and province in the future. "Hosting an event like this leaves a certain skill set, you know? And the volunteer community that come together for this will last for a long time, enable us to pull off lots of other great events." The next major milestone leading up to the Games is the torch relay, which starts on June 11 in Ottawa and will end with a provincial tour of Newfoundland and Labrador.
