The provincial government is offering public service workers up to six paid days of leave this summer to volunteer with the Canada Summer Games.

The St. John’s region is expected to welcome more than 5,000 athletes, coaches and families for the Canada Summer Games August 8th to the 25th.

The Host Committee are on track in signing upwards of 5,000 volunteers to help out.

Co-Chair Karl Smith says the City of St. John’s and provincial government are both offering employees paid leave to volunteer for the games, attracting 500 more volunteers and bringing their contingent up to 4,800.

Treasury Board says the province provided a similar incentive to the public service during the 1999 Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook.