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De Beers in as long-term sponsor for Long John Jamboree

De Beers Canada has committed $150,000 over the next five years to support the Long John Jamboree's Inspired Ice Championship.

The long-term sponsorship agreement will see the festival receive about $30,000 a year from the mining group.

(From left) Nancy MacNeill, executive director of Long John Jamboree, Keith MacNeill, Inspired Ice Championship coordinator, Mayor Mark Heyck, Gahcho Kue Mine General Manager Allan Rodel and Long John Jamboree Vice President Garett Cochrane gather to announce De Beers sponsorship.  Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.

"Make no mistake, this is a big deal," Jamboree Vice President Garett Cochrane said Monday during a press conference in Old Town.

"This money means that we will continue to provide our great outdoor activity...it will allow us to bring over competitors from all over the world...to reach our goal of transforming this competition into one of the world's premiere ice carving competitions and a local Yellowknife tradition," said Cochrane.

"I think we can all agree that this money was certainly needed and very much welcomed," Cochrane added, thanking De Beers for their "continued belief" in the festival.

Last year's Long John Jamboree marked the renewal of De Beer Canada's financial backing after the company was forced to step back from its sponsorship that ran from 2012 to 2015.

The closure of Snap Lake and construction efforts for Gahcho Kue were cited as catalysts in the decision to withdraw.

Now, with recent successes for De Beers, Allan Rodel, Gahcho Kue Mine general manager, says the company is able to return to the role of sponsor.

"The really good news is that in 2017, Gahcho Kue Mine went into commercial production and it's set to operate for a long time still. It's afforded us the opportunity to make this long term commitment from a sustainability perspective," Rodel said.

Rodel noted the partnership is "hugely" important to De Beers.

"It's around legacy, we want to be remembered for being part of something great," Rodel said. "If you want to earn brand devotion, that's how you do it, and that's what De Beers is about."

City Mayor Mark Heyck, who was also in attendance at the briefing, said in a statement De Beers' commitment demonstrates the company's dedication in community support and stewardship.

"In bringing together talented teams from around the world to carve ice from our very own Great Slave Lake, this highly anticipated event reminds us of the tremendous beauty in ice and snow, and should not be missed," Heyck stated.

Nancy MacNeill, executive director of the Long John Jamboree, said De Beer's renewed support for the festival goes beyond the yearly $30,000 injection.

"De Beers provides us with a really substantial financial donation but then they also take the lead on organizing a lot of things. We  have banquets they provide for the carvers; they provide meals for all of them," she said. "They're really just helping us step up the whole festival."

Along with the Inspired Ice Championship, MacNeill says a whole host of other activities are planned.

"Life sized hungry hippos, trivia, scavenger hunt, fun races, ways that people can get active. This year's jamboree is shaping up to be a really fun time." she said.

Gahcho Kue Mine general manager Allan Rodel says the mine's 2017 commercial production has "afforded" De Beers Canada the ability step back in as sponsors. NNSL photo/Brendan Burke

On looking ahead once the five year commitment wraps up, Allan Rodel said he's focusing on the now.

"We certainly are excited around the next five years. We want to make them a memorable five years. If we've had a good five years, we'll revisit it at that point," he said. "Success breeds success."

The Long John Jamboree, which runs from March 23-25, 2018, will also feature the second annual High School Ice Carving Challenge, an initiative Rodel said is part of an effort to get community youth involved.

The 2018 De Beers Inspired Ice – NWT Ice Carving Championship kicks off on March 22 and ends on March 24.