June 22, 2005 - Last week, CUETS officially signed on to the sponsorship team of the 2005 Canada Games, joining a blue chip corporate roster of Games supporters that includes cooperative system stalwarts Concentra Financial Services, Conexus Credit Union and SaskCentral. The 2005 Canada Games features 17 different competitions in and around Regina between August 6th – 20th.

CUETS has been designated the venue sponsor of the Women’s Soccer competition, which aligns well with MasterCard’s ongoing global sponsorship of the world’s premiere soccer event, the MasterCard World Cup.

“As a socially responsible company, we’re proud to support our home communities of Regina and Winnipeg, and also proud to support Canadian credit unions in some of their local sponsorship efforts,” says Stan Kuss, Chief Executive Officer.

“Regina isn’t a big place, but there is something magical that happens when a big national event comes to town,” Kuss adds. “I’ve witnessed it with two Grey Cups, the 2001 MasterCard Memorial Cup and a number of major curling events. Corporations and volunteers all pitch in to make sure the event is successful and memorable for everyone who participates.”

As big as those other events have been -- pouring millions into the local economy and generating enthusiasm across the entire province – the 2005 Canada Games will be much larger, according to published reports. The Games takes place over a 14-day period, which is typically a week longer than the other major national events Regina has hosted. More than 4,500 athletes, coaches, managers and officials from the 10 provinces and three territories will participate in the Games. The event is also expected to attract more than 200 members of the media, 750 VIPs and 12,000 visitors.

Planning for the 2005 Canada Games – Saskatchewan’s first since 1989 -- is reportedly on schedule, with more than 5,000 volunteers already mobilized and going through orientation and training activities to make sure Regina’s centennial project is one for the ages.