After years of anticipation, the Canada Games Centre was officially opened on Saturday afternoon, with a ceremony fitting of a complex the federal minister of sport deemed the best he's seen in Canada it was anything but low key.

Stephen Owen, the Minister of Western Economic Diversification, as well as the Minister of State for Sport, joined Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie, MP Larry Bagnell, Senator Ione Christiensen, Whitehorse Mayor Ernie Bourassa, many other political guests and first nation elders at centre ice for the opening ceremony.

Hundreds of enthusiastic spectators crammed the seats of the Olympic-size arena to witness the beginning of what some may call a new era, as the territory prepares to host the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

'It's a great honour to be here today, together with my federal colleagues, Ione Christianson and Larry Bagnell, who by the way is the hardest-working MP in Ottawa,' Owen began. 'The Government of Canada is a proud financial partner, and partner in every way.

'This type of facility not only fulfills the community, but it's also a nation-builder.'

Fentie said the new centre is the result of partnerships between all levels of government and he gave special recognition to the Kwanlin Dun and Ta'an Kwach'an first nations, whose traditional territory the centre stands on.

'This new facility will endeavour to build on our growing reputation as a formidable contender on the international sports stage,' said Fentie, adding the facility is not only for the sporting elite, but all Yukoners at all levels of sport.

'We are one step closer to our goal of hosting the best Canada Winter Games ever. Today shows what can be achieved through sheer hard work and the perseverance of many people.'

There were numerous people instrumental in both the construction of the Canada Games Centre and the awarding of the Games themselves, but much credit was heaped on Bagnell Saturday, mainly for helping out with the funding from the federal government.

An obviously pleased and proud Bagnell began his speech by saying the opening of the centre is one of the highlights of his achievements, since becoming an MP. But he was quick to give credit to Prime Minister Paul Martin, who did not attend the event but was at the groundbreaking ceremony last year.

Martin also sent a gift with Bagnell, which was presented to Bourassa, proclaiming his support for the centre and the efforts that went into it.

Bagnell pointed not only to the health care costs that may possibly be saved from having a large recreational centre in the city, but also to the benefits for the economy from the number of Yukoners employed in the construction to the events which will be hosted at the centre before and after 2007.

Most importantly, he said, is what the building will do for the territory's youth, both presently and into the future.

'To the youth of the Yukon, we say, this is for you.'

While many of the people involved in the Canada Games were present at the opening, Bourassa took his opportunity at the microphone to mention those who couldn't be, including former mayor Don Branigan and Peter Milner, former director of sport and recreation for the Yukon government, who passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer.

Milner was also the project manager for the 2007 Canada Winter Games before his death.

'I want to remember and thank all of those who came before, for their insight of what we have today,' said Bourassa, taking an emotional moment to talk about Milner, 'who I know is smiling like only he would, as he looks down on us today.

'Here's to you, Peter.'

Bourassa then joined Fentie, Owen and Piers McDonald, Games host society president, for the ribbon-cutting, officially declaring the centre open.

Following that, there was a ceremonial faceoff between the mayor and the premier on the NHL ice surface, before a flurry of activity by various sporting groups took over the venues.

Speed skaters, soccer players, gymnasts, boxers and hockey players were among the athletes providing entertainment for spectators, and getting a feel for their new practice and competition facilities.

There was also a face-painting booth, numerous art pieces on display and Games merchandise for sale in the main lobby.

Yukon weightlifter Jeane Lassen, a numerous national and international medalist, helped put on a demonstration of her sport outside of the flexi-hall.

Lassen spoke about the Games centre, which she knows first hand is an important step for the city.

'Novelty is pretty motivating for kids,' she explained. 'They get to feel like stars, basically. This is a really high quality sports facility.

'I'm not just saying this to be cheesy, I really don't think it's this nice anywhere else.'

Weightlifters are used to often-drab, and almost never fancy, areas to compete in, she said, so with the new centre set to host the 2008 junior world weightlifting championships, she believes the athletes who descend on Whitehorse for the event will 'be blown away.'

'A lot of competitors are from poorer countries, because the sport can be practiced with very little equipment and very little money.

'When I go to the Worlds, the setup is nothing like this.'

That's something the city hopes residents will keep in mind beyond the next few years. While acknowledging there will be a drop-off in the initial popularity of the centre, Doug Hnatiuk, director of parks and recreation for the city of Whitehorse, said he believes the centre will make enough to cover its operating costs.

Hnatiuk found himself drawn into the excitement of this past weekend, calling the opening 'fantastic.'

'It really exceeded our expectations, but that goes to demonstrate the enthusiasm and excitement this community truly has for this type of facility.

'We wanted a community centre, some place for people just to meet, and I think this facility truly has demonstrated today its ability to be more than just a sports facility.'

Hnatiuk said one thing he's most impressed with is the artwork displayed throughout the centre, calling it 'tastefully done.'

'To all the Yukon artists that participated, thanks to them for providing top-quality art pieces that are just so complimentary to this facility.'

Hnatiuk said the weekend was a good test in preparation for test events leading up to the Canada Games. The number of people who attended the opening gave staff an idea of what to expect, he said, and it 'will be a happening spot.'

'The atmosphere ... it's just magnificent, it really is.'

For more photos from the grand opening of the Canada Games Centre, see the centre-spread in Wednesday's edition of the Star.