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Olympic Series Part 5...Putting on the Party

By Ben Meisner

What will the 2010 games do for the people of BC? 

We posed that question to former Premier Bill Vanderzalm who was heavily involved in Expo '86. 

"You cannot make a comparison" he said. "Expo '86 took place over a period of six months during the summer months. The 2010 Olympics will take place during a time of year when we don’t show our best unless you like snow."

" Think about it" he said, "Would you want to come to Prince George for a holiday when the temperature is minus 30 and everyone is confined to staying inside?". 

He says the Olympics are good for our athletes to show off their skills and that is good for our pride, but trying to hook that to tourism is a different matter. 
"During Expo '86" he said "We had six months to attract people from all over the world , and yes Vancouver took tourist money from the central and northern part of the province, but remember who says that people for example from Terrace , Smithers and Prince George would have stayed in the province for their holidays in any event. Expo 86 created pride in BC and the 2010 will also, to a lesser extent."  

So what does he think is "in it" for us?

"Very little" says the former Premier "Oh to be sure you’ll get some grants, buts that’s just your own tax money coming back to you. You may also get some federal tax money but that is the same set of circumstances."
 
Vanderzalm said,” I am not a supporter of the 2010 Olympics and you will find out why when in 2011 we find out just what those 10 days cost us “. 

Vancouver will grow, he added ,but we will build facilities that are much bigger than the community needs or wants and an example of that is in Richmond. "Construction costs will sky rocket as Vancouver and Whistler soak up the labor force. That will hurt every community and individual as you find that you have to pay more for your home, business or whatever you build because of the labor shortage."

So, should Prince George send a contingent to Torino Italy to sell P.G. and the Region?
Vanderzalm offered up a very  interesting response " When was the last time that you negotiated some serious business while attending a party. A party is just that, not a business meeting and so when it comes to that sort of effort to attract business I’m always very suspicious and believe me over the years I’ve attended a lot of parties. "


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