I am curious about this in light of the hoora regarding the cost and benefits of the olympics. When all is said and done we have 1.5 million economic infusion plus a legacy fund. That begs the questions as follows.
Did we need to build any facilities?
What were the host costs?

where did the 38,000 legacy fund come from? Was it simply revenues minus expenses?

Here are the 2007 financial statments for the BC Games Society which funds a series of BC Games.

http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/OCG/pa/06_07/Sup%20E/pdf/BC_GAMES_Fin_Stmts.pdf

You will notice the primary source of funds comes from the Province at over $2million.

It looks like the Society provides funds to the societies formed in the host communities. If the host communities do a good job, they will have money left over to distribute as their "legacy". In 2002, when PG hosted the Seniors Games, there was no legacy. So, last years was a success.

I think the winter games hosted by Quesnel in 2000 resulted in a legacy of about $150 thousand.

The money is not created from thin air. It is initally provincial, plus some income through registration fees and sales of pins, sponsorships, etc. and savings due to lots of volunteer work.

So, the source is a mix of user fees, sponsorships, sales, volunteer time donations and government support.

It seems, however, that without government support, the games are not a money making proposition.

We have to learn to clothe the arts in a similar package, right ??

Of course I think the senior summer games are a good healthy pursuit to keep seniors active. My concern is that all these "nice" things are costing taxpayers big time. This is a small drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things, but every drop adds to the debt load. The money has to come from somewhere, so governments increase taxation and service fees. the net result is my taxes increase continually.

It is time to take a step back and evaluate what we are spending on. We have schools closing yet we can put on a party for many special interest groups? We can apply to host the winter games but our roads need attention? This would not be so bad except that there is myriads of special interest groups with their hands out for funding.

A real sticky wicket.

"This would not be so bad except that there is myriads of special interest groups with their hands out for funding.

Special interest groups include:

1. those with children in schools that are closing

2. those driving vehicles with small tires that do not do too well on rough roads

not
Special interest = a small defined segment or demographic serving a specific need or aspect of the demographic.