WBC Gets Money For Event
Monday, June 10, 2013 @ 6:25 PM
Prince George, B.C.- The World Baseball Challenge has hit one out of the park, although they were at the plate in the bottom of the 9th, two out, and two strikes.
Appearing before Prince George City Council, organizers of the WBC wanted $10 grand from the City of Prince George to provide additional seating for the event that is set for the 13th to 23rd of August.
Under a time crunch for the funding, the WBC had previously understood the funds might be accessible, but further discussions with City Staff have indicated such is not the case. The WBC’s Shawn Rice also advised Council that seeking funds from regular sponsors has been a challenge as many sponsors are making financial commitments to the Canada Winter Games.
Rain had a negative impact on the last World Baseball Challenge, keeping some people away from the event, “It was the wettest July on record” says WBC event organizer Jim Swanson. That is one of the reasons why the event was moved to August as that month is typically drier. The rain also meant the WBC was not able to build up a reserve to plan the event for this year.
While there were no funds arranged through the normal budget process with the City, Mayor Green says there is an Economic Development fund of $25 thousand dollars that was not used last year, and if Council wished, could be tapped into for an economic driving project. Rice made it clear, without the $10 grand, this will be the end of the World Baseball Challenge in Prince George.
Councilor Garth Frizzell, says the event “Is a great international event” but wanted more detail on the Sport Tourism Economic Activity Model report ( STEAM) which measures the impact on hotel stays and estimates dollars spent in the community as a result of the event. That report indicated that in total, the two previous WBC events and the Senior Mens Baseball event last year, garnered $6 million dollars in economic activity.
Members of Council voted unanimously in favour of providing the funds from the Economic Development Fund.
Comments
Not going to comment on the money but koodos to Shawn Rice for all his efforts on behalf of the city of Prince George and its citizens. This man has stepped up to the plate and volunteered his time so many times he is truly one of this cities shinning stars. PG minor hockey, ducks unlimited and WBC to name a few. We need more Shawn Rice’s in this town to get us to the city we should be. And a new mayor would help also!
Why not, it’s only taxpayer money.
Your right Johnny B. Why we as tax payers have to subsidize people who golf, it loses money for the tax payers of this city. Heh and the 2 pools, I am sure they do not create positive revenue for the city so lets sell them of to privet companies that can make money at $15 an hour if you want to go swimming. And those money losing ice rinks. Hockey teams can now pay $700 an hour to play a game of hockey. Those silly skate boarding park, heh they do not take in any money so lets get rid of them. Parks and play grounds, you know what, chop them to. Do you see where I am going with this. Know you probably do not. The only thing left for our youth is Net Filx and play station.
6 million dollars in economic activity from 2 WBC’s and a senior men’s baseball event would be a bit of stretch.
While we’re handing out money and making everyone happy, how’s the City doing with its debt? You never hear about that.
Oh well, we can just push it off to the next generation, right? Live in the moment!
Maybe $60,000, but not $6,000,000. Um now they say the 2015 winter games will generate
$90,000,000 instead of the previous estemate
of $75,000,000, Truth is, some businesses will make very little money. Due to blocked streets etc. All this in 10 days. Could be a red herring I think. Good thing taxes can be raised before and after. Just saying.
rattyboy I was half way through before I figured out you were being sarcastic. Me and a group were in an event in Williams Lake last weekend and we left at least a thousand dollars behind in hotels and restaurants etc. At least something like the WBC brings people into the community to spend money, so the businesses – who pay taxes – get something for it.
But you’re wrong about activities for youth. There’s also, drinking in the bush, hanging around the mall, smashing car windows – there’s no end of outdoor activity for bored youth to do in this city.
Wonder what this group did differently (that other groups, which also volunteer to host much, much larger grassroots events of economic and social impact or other worthy programs and activities) to get a dime out of this moronic bunch? Well, good one ’em and congrats. Must be getting closer to election time…..
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