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