The wet spring has forced the organizers of the Estevan Relay for Life to change locations.
The committee announced recently the 2011 relay, which raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society, will be held in the Civic Auditorium because their usual location at the Estevan Comprehensive School is too wet and unlikely to be dry in time for Saturday.
Co-chairwoman Tina Bird said the move to the Auditorium is not an ideal situation but they had little say in the matter.
"Even with the nice weather we have been having, it's not going to be dry enough," said Bird. "We did some heavy thinking because this is the first year that we had to move inside. We didn't want to damage any of the Comp property, we didn't want anybody getting injured walking in the mud, we wouldn't have been able to haul in any of the porta-potties, the stage any of the facilities. This is the next best thing."
Although it would appear the move indoors would create a logistical nightmare for organizers, Bird said they were able to make their adjustments rather quickly. She added many of the usual features people have come to expect at the relay will still be included but have been scaled back in size.
"Instead of the campers having a 20x20 site, they will have a 10x12 site," she said. "It's going to be right on the rink floor and we are going to have a 15-foot wide walking track all the way around the tents.
"The stage will be on the one side at centre ice, so to speak, and then we will have the cancer knowledge zone and the kids' zone. Out the back end of the Civic, we are going to have the food court with the Perogy Barn, Dominos and the free hot dogs. In the lobby will be the survivors' registration. Security and parking will have a trailer out front.
"It didn't take long once we got the dimensions and figured out what we could work with."
The opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday with the always emotional survivors' laps set for a 7:20 start. Among the other highlights is the popular Mr. Relay competition, a 3 a.m. cheer off, the fight back ceremony and the victory lap which will go at 7 a.m. Sunday.
"It's just a bit scaled back. All the times are the same as they would have been if we were outside."
In preparation for the main relay event, the students of Hillcrest School held a mini-relay Friday in their gymnasium.
The event was a major success with students raising over $3,500 for the Cancer Society. Volunteer organizer Pat Steinke said along with raising money, she was proud to see the students get behind this important cause and dedicate their energies towards the relay.
"This week I saw young boys and girls develop into cancer warriors," said Steinke. "We have all joined together for one reason and that is to fight cancer."
