North Okanagan RCMP member contributes to success of Winter Classic hockey tournament at Apex

PENTICTON – A hockey tournament based out of Penticton’s Apex Resort was recently held successfully for a fourth year, in part thanks to the efforts of a North Okanagan police officer.

RCMP Media Relations Officer Cst. Kelly Brett said in a press release issued Jan. 10, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Cpl. Yannick Lescarbeau donated considerable personal time over the holiday season to help raise funds for the B.C. Children’s Hospital by organizing an outdoor hockey tournament at Penticton’s Apex Mountain Resort.

The latest event, which took place this past weekend, is the annual Winter Classic Hockey Jamboree, which includes teams of ages nine to 10, from Penticton, Spokane, Burnaby, Richmond, Vancouver and host team Kelowna.

"This year, the Penticton Jr. Vees came out as the tournament Champions but in the end, all the participants and organizers were the true winners, raising $26,462.75 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation," says Cpl. Lescarbeau.

"The tournament gains momentum each year raising a total of over $77,000 in the four years since its inception and is a way for us to give back to the community," he adds.

The tournament succeeds because of the commitment of its 120 players, their families and the corporate sponsors who donate to this cause.

"Many officers donate their time in giving back to their communities, whether it be in the form of coaching or volunteering for different groups or organizations. A lot of hard work and commitment goes into organizing an event such as the Winter Classic, which benefits children from all over B.C., says Brett.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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