We obviously need snow and colder weather for more than the athletes….

cold and snow hide a lot of things ….

If there isn’t enough snow they will truck it of fly it in like they did for Cypress Bowl at the 2010 Olympics.

I seen a couple of individuals around the City picking up garbage and putting it in bags. These people are doing their share to help clean up the City.

We should keep in mind that 90% of the garbage they pick up was thrown on the ground by other individuals who dont give a s..t about the City. So we have a problem.

Do we have a bylaw against litter??? If so it must be covered with dust and mildew.

We are into the Winter Games like it or not, however at the end of the day, some people will lose money on this, mainly because of the displacement that will be caused by having all the atheletes, managers, coaches, etc in the City.

When big events come to town, those people who normally come to shop, gamble, etc; stay home, so there is a net loss to the retail industry. This has been proven by very indepth studies, so lets not pretend that everyone wins.

Sorry, I disagree. We forget to count the opportunity cost of the Winter Games, and they are huge.

These games will suck more time, attention and financial resources than they return, the very definition of negative value creation.

There are many other more worthwhile projects, initiatives and infrastructure investments that will be eclipsed by the “excitement” of these games.

In today’s economy mega-projects are out, and ecosystems and platforms are in. These games are a mega-project that make a hundred great community initiatives and supports get ignored.

Too bad. Only those who ignore the facts will be left with “bragging rights.”

While I’d like to see a lot more attention paid to our roads, I am excited to see the games coming.

As I understand it the only local tax money being put into the games is for the capital improvements to the kin center. That is it. As someone who has kids in minor hockey those improvements are long overdue and will be of benefit for years to come long after the games are over.

All the other money for the games is either being raised through sponsorship or through funds from the province and federal governments. Both governments have commited $11 million each.

One thing is for certain, that money was going to be spent in BC one way or the other. Thanks to all of those who worked on getting the games, it is being spent HERE instead of Kamloops or Kelowna. That fact alone makes this a win already.

The local hotels, restaurants, and big box stores wil benefit greatly from the games. As for who else, that’s up for debate.

Looks like the Games are already off the rails, not “playing it right” at all.

Have the VENEU issues been resolved?

It looks like a number of events WON’T EVEN HAPPEN IN PG.

Since when did the “Prince George” Games become the “Prince George and Northern British Columbia” Games? Where was that in the bid proposal and bill of goods sold to the local taxpayers?

From the website:

“This event will be the largest multi-sporting and cultural event to ever be held in Prince George and Northern British Columbia…”

http://www.canadagames2015.ca/index.html

Does that mean speedskating isn’t going to be in PG, and sent up to Fort. St. John where they actually have a speedskaing oval?

Are the promised upgrades to CNC gym (new floor) going to happen, or is wheelchair basketball going to Vanderhoof?

Can Games CEO Stuart Ballantyne state unequivocally that ALL the events will be held in Prince George? Is he willing to back that up by putting his job on the line?

It’s a question that needs to be asked, and answered, right now.

No local person would count Purden Mountain Resport and Tabor Mountain as NOT Prince George and create the need to include “Northern BC” in the Games promotional copy.

So, what’s changed?

Here’s the original list of venues:
http://princegeorge.ca/infocentre/communications/media%20releases/MediaBriefing2015CanadaWinterGames.pdf

Quite evident that there was a northern BC strategy throughout the Bid, and I believe this was a big reason why the Games were awarded to PG.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iFNQYwon28&context=C41b4865ADvjVQa1PpcFO4gabSLW-rvG-M-ONjsyTNeKHl6_UV93g=

Redone go watch that video again. It was talk of engaging the North, and even developing the north (as in being a service centre).

But the web copy says HELD in Prince George and Northern British Columbia.

Maybe poor copywriting – HELD would mean the locations of the venues and accommodations typically.

I agree there is a regional IMPACT of HOLDING the Games in Prince George…

An indepth study by the University of Mass. into the Olympics in Salt Lake City Utah found the following.

Restaurants, Bars, and Hotels, made a profit of approx $87 Million dollars.

Retail business lost approx $157 Million dollars.

The reason for the loss was attributed to **Displacement**. Displacement occurs when people who would normally come to a community to use the facilities, and shop, etc; avoid the community during the period when the games are being held, because of the inability to get accomodation, and because of the crowds etc;

They suggest that anyone who wants to put on these types of events, do a thorough investigation of the costs., They further suggest that the hype tends to overlook the reality.

Did we do an in depth analysis of the costs/benefits?? Highly unlikely. We stood on the street waved a flag, and went home.

Have a nice day.