Yesterday morning it became official; Thompson is hosting the 2018 Manitoba Power Smart Winter Games.

The announcement was made at Deerwood school, with various dignitaries, including the Honourable Rochelle Squires, Provincial Minster of Sport, Culture and Heritage, who made it all official.

Other dignitaries on hand included Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle, Thompson Mayor Dennis Fenske and 2018 Host Society Co-Chair Sandra Ross-Hitch.

The games will start in 368 days.

Events taking place wll include hockey, curling, badminton, swimming, and for the first time ever, speed skating.

This is the second time Thompson has hosted the Manitoba Games, the first time was in 1994.