Thousands of athletes, coaches and fans will be calling Halifax home for the next couple of weeks. The Canada Winter Games kick off this Friday with the opening ceremonies at the Halifax Metro Center.

A clean-up effort is underway right now to help make the city look its best. Downtown Halifax Business Commission Executive Director, Paul MacKinnon, tells News 95.7 they’re also working on some beautification elements.

“Things like welcoming posters, or maybe some larger billboards. We’re going to be giving out buttons from the Downtown Halifax Business Commission just kind of welcoming guests and athletes and just kind of creating that Halifax feel that people just love when they come here,” MacKinnon says. “We’re expecting it’s going to be a friendly, warm, inviting atmosphere and everyone’s going to have a great time.”

With athletes, coaches and media booked at downtown hotels, rooms are filling up quickly. But according to travel site expedia.ca, some hotels in the downtown core still have a few vacancies.

The Canada Winter Games will close on February 27th.