The Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games officially came to a close.
In his closing remarks, BC Winter Games president Bill Bidlake said someone told him he would be relieved when watching the 38 busses leave the parking lot with all the athletes and coaches.
"To be honest it's kind of sad," said Bidlake, who took a moment to say good bye the Vancouver Island members, who had the leave the closing ceremony early.
When talking about his highlights, he said it's hard to pin point specific ones.
"I look at the spirit of the Games, whether it's the athletes performing, whether it's the early morning cook that gets here at 2 in the morning," he said, "I see a tremendous amount of effort overall by a lot of people. It's demonstrated in the spirit for the Games."
Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit thanks the volunteers, Bidlake and Doug MacMillan and their committee, saying they have done the city proud. Jakubeit also felt the speech by former Olympian mogul skier Kristi Richards of Summerland had an impact on some athletes. He then talked about how one athlete he watched faced a challenge during her performance.
"You could see the fear and panic come to her face," he said, adding the coach gave her encouraging comments. "You could see the determination in her eyes. As she was finishing the routine and getting to that closing manoeuvre , everyone was on pins and needles. She nailed it.
"We witnessed this young girls triumph," he continued. "That was my experience, my memory of the Games. It was such a proud, happy, momentous moment. You see sports is such a powerful tool for kids. It not only gets them off the couch, it teaches them life lessons. Giving them confidence and self esteem to overcome adversity."
Among the highlights for Ben Garrett from Abbotsford, was winning gold in wheelchair basketball and scoring eight points in a game, a career high.
"The opening ceremony were awesome," he said.
Finishing atop the medal count was Fraser River zone 4, with 107, 42 being gold. In second was the Vancouver-Coastal zone with 105, including 35 gold. In third was the local Thompson-Okanagan with 92 medals, including 25 gold medals.