Bid for Games and Community Celebration Program a Go
Prince George, B.C.- The City of Prince George will move forward to prepare a bid to host the 2020 BC Summer Games. Council has approved $10 thousand dollars to develop that bid.
Council has also agreed to develop a Community Celebrations Program but it will cost the City $30 thousand a year. Tourism Prince George has already revised its spending to secure $30 thousand a year for the program that will be operated in a partnership between the City and Tourism PG.
The dollars would be provided in the form of grants for various projects.
During the Canada Winter Games, there was a party every night in downtown Prince George. Councillor Garth Frizzell says while he valued the events that took place during the Games, he did have some concerns about adding $30 thousand dollars to the budget. “My hesitation is not about the success that came on in that square, that was undoubtedly a wonderful thing that we got out of the Canada Winter Games. I just wanted to take time to consider the $30 thousand dollars on an on going basis for next year and forever after.” He said he is satisfied that with the matching dollars from Tourism Prince George, there will be the capacity to deliver some good projects.
Mayor Hall,says the item will be coming back for budget discussion. “What we’re looking for is certainty” says City Manager Kathleen Soltis, she adds there are a number of ways the dollars can be allocated without having to add to the tax levy. The certainty would ensure plans can be made now to move forward to find applicants for the grants.
Comments
I have yet to see any benefit from the 2015 CWG, and now they want to fritter away more?
Ready my lips, NO, NO WAY, FULL STOP.
I knew this was going to happen, and said so in the past
they had to pick our pockets to pay for the winter games, now they are going to fleece us for the summer games.
If Hall wants it that bad let him pay for it.
Damned if you don’t, damned if you do.
Yes, the CWG cost us more in property tax, but we were also able to leverage huge amounts of money from both the province, and the feds, maximizing our investment into our community.
This will likely not be as big, and therefore not as expensive too. The way I look at it, someone in BC is going to host this event and benefit from tourism dollars, may as well be us. Rather it be hosted here than Kamloops, Kelowna, or Nanaimo.
Its just a bid people… thats it… a long ways from it coming to be. If we do get the games I will be buying more Gold tickets for the games guarenteed.
I enjoyed the Winter games to the max and would love to see the summer games get here… The increase to my taxes didnt change my lifestyle one bit..
My first thought was do we have the facilities for the summer games like we have for winter games. Second thought – it would show the people in the south that we do have summer!
If PG gets the Summer Games, will any new facilities be required?
Loki, “I have yet to see any benefit from the 2015 CWG”. ??? Have you been out to Otway? New & upgraded facilities that are world class & will attract events for years to come. Kin Centres upgraded, roads in the region rehabbed. Probably the greatest benefit was the attention we received for our area & a better sense of community spirit.
2020 games, will be a great benefit to PG as we show everyone our city and area is the place to be, winter, summer fall. lets go people,
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