Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first order of business upon arriving in the Yukon yesterday was to get a tour of the Canada Winter Games Centre.

'It is truly a first-class facility, one the Government of Canada has been proud to contribute to financially,' said Harper.

He added he has no doubt the Games, which will run from Feb. 23 until March 10, 2007, will be a great success.

The federal government invested $20 million in the construction of the facility.

Harper's tour of the building lasted approximately 45 minutes. Several Yukoners congregated at the centre hoping to meet the prime minister and shake his hand.

Set up as a photo opportunity with the press, Harper spent a considerable amount of time stopping to talk with people with young children.

Linda Rapp, the city's parks and recreation manager who also led the tour, said the prime minister seemed especially interested about the children's activities available at the multiplex.

'He wanted to talk about how the kids are using the spaces,' she said.

Much of the tour focused on a discussion about what sport events will take place in each section of the centre, said Rapp, and how they have already been used for test events.

She added the prime minister seemed quite interested in the spontaneous use model at the centre to enable Yukoners to come in and take part in a variety of activities.

Piers McDonald, the Games' host society president, said Harper seemed genuinely impressed by the facility.

'People who see the facility for the first time are always impressed, especially by the size,' said McDonald.

The prime minister commented on how busy the centre will become during the sports event, added McDonald.

Mayor Ernie Bourassa agreed Harper seemed to enjoy his tour.

'I thought (the event) went quite well; he was very impressed with the facility.

'He also seemed quite impressed with some of the art work up there, including the statue by Kenny Anderson and the sculptures of the birds we have there,' the mayor said.

'He saw that the federal contribution to the Games centre was money well spent.'

With the amount of money the federal government has put toward the centre, it was great the new prime minister took the time to come to see the building, said Rapp.

'I think it's appropriate he came and toured the facility.'

Premier Dennis Fentie joined the prime minister on the tour, then later officially invited him to attend the Games.

McDonald confirmed the prime minister has been asked to attend the opening ceremonies and Governor General Micha'lle Jean is invited to the closing event.

With the Games celebrating 40 years and this being the first time the event will be held North of 60, McDonald said it is appropriate the prime minister attends.

'It's a big national event. I hope he would make the time to attend,' said McDonald, adding there were some positive indications that may actually happen.