Meet John Donovan, the Village Mayor for the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games. John has lived in Thompson for 50 years and has volunteered for several other events. The first time Thompson hosted in 1994, he was a gymnastics judge and helped out the female hockey team. In 2018, he took on different roles in transportation, wrangling, and volunteer and athlete orientations.

For these Games, John knew he wanted to help, but with so many opportunities, he didn’t know where he’d land. So far, it’s been another fun experience supporting volunteers and teams as the Village Mayor. The coaches, the kids, the school district and staff have helped out, and everything is going very well.

“It’s heart-warming to see the kids get along so well and celebrate their time in Thompson.”

John says the Games offer people a chance to get to know what Thompson is all about beyond just the weather. And for the locals, the Games are a source of entertainment for the Thompson community.

“The Thompson community stays busy as hundreds and hundreds of people have stepped up to serve as volunteers.”

He knows well that Thompson’s greatest strength is when its people come together, and they vow to make things happen for the betterment of others in their community.

Some folks who’ve moved away from Thompson have returned to the city to support the hosting of the Games. John has seen friendly and familiar faces and is thankful to the Games for giving them all the opportunity to reconnect.

Another strength of the community he’s observed is that people are stepping up to do jobs that they were not expected to do, originally, and they are doing just fine.

“Congratulations to the folks who are leading. It has taken energy to get it going. It takes years to make this thing happen. The school district and the City of Thompson have stepped up in a huge way to make this happen. And then of course all the volunteers. It doesn’t happen without hundred thousands of people helping out.”