Four cities, including Abbotsford, bid on BC Summer Games
Abbotsford isn’t the only community going after the 2016 or 2018 BC Summer Games.
Last week, the BC Games Society announced Coquitlam, Cowichan Valley and Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows also submitted bids to host the sporting event in 2016. The same municipalities – plus North Vancouver – have also opted to host the games two years later.
The city will budget $60,000 ($30,000 in both 2015 and 2016) and $50,000 in additional in-kind services and facilities, if the bid is successful.
If Abbotsford does host the 2016 games, 3,700 athletes – most aged 13 to 15 – would descend on the city between July 21-24 to compete in 22 sports.
The event would generate significant economic activity. In 2008, Kelowna reportedly reaped $2.6 million in spin-offs by hosting the four-day summer competition.
The BC Games Society provides event management services and $600,000 in provincial funding.
The society also leaves behind a financial legacy. In the past two games, a gift of more than $75,000 was presented to the host communities.
The society will review and score the applications before making its recommendation to MLA Bill Bennett, minister of community, sport and cultural development. A decision is expected in November.
– with files from Janis Warren of the Tri-City News
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