Mungall nominates two Nelson-Creston medal bearers for Rick Hansen Relay
By Bruce Fuhr
Nelson/Creston MLA Michelle Mungall has nominated two tireless workers from the riding as medal bearers in the upcoming Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay.
Mungall said Alex Nilsson of Creston and Shelly Grice-Gold of Salmo are forces of nature when it comes to community sport and healthy lifestyles that have contributed to their communities in immeasurable ways.
“These two people have not only done amazing things promoting sports and physical activity,” Mungall said. “They have also supported their communities and given back on so many levels.”
Grice-Gold, aka Hoar Frost is captain of Salmo’s Babes of Brutality, and the driving force behind the West Kootenay Roller Derby League.
What began as a few women learning derby skills has grown into the largest women’s roller derby league in North America.
The West Kootenay league now boasts eight regular house teams, a travel team of elite players competing regionally and nationally, and even a junior league for girls age 13-18 to learn all the skills of the flat track.
Grice-Gold will be running a 250-meter leg between Creston and Nelson on April 19th.
Nilsson’s passion for volunteer service has been recognized on a national, provincial and local level.
On December 2009 Alex Nilsson was awarded the Order of Canada for his outstanding commitment as a volunteer in Creston.
In 2007, Nilsson roller skied across Canada is to help raise awareness about Diabetes and how it can be prevented and treated.
Prior to his community involvement, Nilsson was instrumental in promoting men’s soccer in the Kootenays as president of the Kootenay Soccer League in the late 70s and early 80s.
Nilsson’s leg of the relay will happen the Wednesday morning, as the medal arrives in Creston.
The 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Relay began in August 2011 in Newfoundland.
Relay participants will continue to pass along the singular Rick Hansen Medal as the Relay makes its way across the country, finishing in Vancouver on May 22.
The relay makes its West Kootenay stop beginning Thursday, arriving at the ferry landing in Balfour at 1 p.m.
The relay makes its way along the North Shore before arriving in Nelson approximately three hours later.
When the relay arrives at the Nelson and District Community Complex Arena, Nelson’s official medal bearer Ed Natyshak will be honoured along with a few words from dignitaries.
Activities for the public follow.
“I represent the most beautiful constituency in this province and one of the things that makes it so great is the amazing people here,” said Mungall.
“I am so pleased that I was able to nominate two people for Rick Hansen’s Relay. Both Alex and Shelly have done so much to get people active throughout the region, and they deserve this recognition.”
