Betcha we don't get the Western Games. Not to be a downer or naysayer, but we are in an isolated pocket right in the middle of B.C. I hope we get it. But then again, we have a history of not getting stuff because of our location.

We've also got a history of putting on GREAT tournaments - bigger and better than the other competing communities.

b...I will get back to you about my opinion. I have eaten crow before.

Interesting story on the front page of the Vancouver Sun on Monday.

"Feds balk at B.C. Sports Bill.

The Conservative government is refusing to fully participate in a B.C. sports facility building boom ....

"I will say that it doesn't look good," said Conservative whip Jay Hill of the prospect of federal funding for key projects in his northern B.C. riding of Prince George-Peace River.

Projects in his riding include the eye-popping $37.5-million plan to make remote Fort St. John (pop. 17,000) home to Canada's second covered long-track speed skating oval.

- The $31.6-million Northern Sport Centre at the University of Northern B.C. in Prince George. Now under construction thanks to a $20.5-million provincial contribution before the 2005 election, the facility will include a multi-court gym with 2,000 spectator seats, an indoor track and outdoor sports field. The city and university officials want $5 million from Ottawa.

Colin Kinsley, the Prince George mayor, said the UNBC Northern Sport Centre project managers will likely have to borrow the $5 million if Ottawa doesn't come through.

But Kinsley said he doesn't understand why Ottawa doesn't come up with that cash through its $100-million program to deal with the pine beetle crisis."

Wonder if it will hit the local media sometime soon.

So much for Messrs Hill and Harris.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=d917b4df-dfec-413a-aafe-09845522a81a&k=54892

A quote continued from the Mayor: "We've got a basketball team that practices in a racquetball court. Seriously."

In the early days of UNBC, I recall they practiced in the CNC Gym which is large enough for two basketball courts (tight to the walls) and generously sized for one court with bleachers of spectators. Do they not do so now? If not, why not? Too far to travel down the hill?

The lack of federal money has no impact on the NSC. Would have been a nice bonus and saved us taxpayers in PG a few bucks but not being in Ontario what can you expect.
Now Ft. St John, Victoria and SFU are another story.......they were counting on that money and their projects are likely deep sixed in there current format.

As for the CNC gym owl...UNBC still uses it but take second fiddle to CNC programs and teams (such as they are!) so end up scrounging up pratcie time wherever they can get it. Not exactly the best way to build a quality program and attract talent.

I am not disputing the matter about taking second fiddle at CNC ... but notice that Camosun, a college larger than UNBC and CNC combined, is also in need of a "proper" sports facility.

I wonder whether other provincial educational facilties received and continue to receive help from the federal government for their sports facilities. If so, may be an obvious way to circumvent how the federal transfer dollars are supposed to be used - put more money into other projecs, possibly some not even at educational institutes, and let a component slide into virtual decay, then hope the feds will contribute more than intended to the post secondary environment.

The old shell game.

It was the Camosun project I referred to when I said Victoria.....they are royally screwed. Having lived in Victoria for a few years I cannot dispute they too need proper facilities.
I guess we wait and see if they get any but without it their project is essentially dead in the water.
IMHO PG needs more facilities before Victoria however.