Murray Atherton would like to tell you all about the plans that are underway for the Olympic Torch Run on Bowen Island. But if he did, he’d have to kill you.

And since he wants as many people as possible to be lining the route on February 10, he’s just going to keep his vow of secrecy.

For such a boisterous island booster, that’s no easy task.

So for now, his lips are sealed, at least until the main Torch Run organizers give him permission to let Bowen Island know what an exciting day is being planned.

“We’ve been asked by the Torch Run people to keep our plans close to our vests,” Atherton says. The primary reason is security.

Suffice to say, the torch’s visit to the island will be golden.

Atherton has been part of the island’s Spirit of BC committee since its inception in 2005. He remembers how thrilling it was to be part of Expo 86 and wanted to recreate the magic for the 2010 Olympic Games.

Since then, he and his small committee have been able to get $30,000 in grants to help build momentum leading up to February’s celebration. The committee launched Winterfest, commissioned a musical about Bowen, challenged people to Walk to Whistler, and held a youth essay contest, as well as sponsor other events.

For Atherton, who admits to not skiing or even liking hockey, the Olympics is not about sports. It’s much bigger than that. He’s put in hours of volunteer time to make sure Bowen Island is part of it. “It’s here, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, why not grab onto it?”

He, with the help of others, also lobbied to bring the torch to the island, a real honour for the community.

The Olympic Torch is “the heartbeat of Canada,” he says. “We’re this little alleyway on the Sea to Sky Highway and to have this torch touch our shores will give islanders the feeling that the Olympics are here, not just ‘over there.’”

His own heart is beating loudly in anticipation of his own run with the torch. He’s been chosen to carry it somewhere between Pemberton and Whistler on February 6. (Fellow islander Catherine Patterson is carrying it on February 11, the day before the games open.)

His committee has received $8,000 for the Torch Run celebration. Part of the money will go towards a public art installation along the cinder block wall that greats people when they get off the ferry. The mural will be done on wooden panels and unveiled on February 10. There will also be a community performance of the new Bowen Island song, the deadline for which is December 4. All schools are taking part in a youth art show with an Olympics-on-Bowen theme. Winterfest will once again be held in Crippen Park on February 9 but in anticipation of the Torch Run the next day, there will be no parade. They’re waiting for word on how much funding is available for that as a separate event.

“We don’t know what we’ll be able to afford,” he says.

Meanwhile, more volunteers are always welcome. The next planning meeting is December 8. However, be warned – any volunteer must be willing to take an oath of secrecy.

To get involved, you can contact Atherton at murray@eaglecliffhospitality.com or any of the other committee members: Jacqueline Massey, Christine Walker, Catherine Patterson, Daniel Heald, Don Southern, Peter Boronkay or Sarah Haxby.