Community Minister Ida Chong and Olympic champion Sami Jo Small will address hundreds of municipal politicians and officials at the 2011 Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) Convention in Merritt this week.

The SILGA Convention and annual general meeting, which opened Wednesday, will keep delegates from municipalities and regional districts throughout south-central British Columbia in Merritt until Friday.

SILGA's membership includes communities as far west as Lillooet, as north as Clearwater, south to Osoyoos, and east to Sicamous.

Small and Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos band are the convention's keynote speakers. Small is a member of the Canadian women's hockey team and two-time Olympic gold medallist.

Chong and Union of B.C. Municipalities president Barbara Steele of Surrey are also slated to speak.

During the convention, delegates will attend presentations on issues affecting municipalities across the region, such as pest management and water systems.

Sponsors such as the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C. and BC Hydro will present to the delegates as well.

SILGA will also elect its new executive and deal with resolutions brought forward by member communities during the annual general meeting portion of the convention.

In addition, the visitors will enjoy the activities and sights of the Nicola Valley with tours of Quilchena and Douglas Lake. A golf tournament was held at Merritt Golf and Country Club Wednesday.