Curling Event Hopes to Draw to the Button

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. -   Events Prince George  has been  given the green light to  go ahead and make a bid for a Pre -Qualifying  Olympic Curling event.

The event will take place in November of 2009 and will precede the  qualifying event that will take place in either Edmonton or Kamloops ( winning city will be announced in March). According to  Events Prince George,  the event will see  24 curling teams,  (12 mens teams, 12 women’s teams) in a week long  event.

The  event is  expected to creat $2.8 million dollars worth of economic activity in B.C. and  of that amount, $1.98 million would be in Prince George.

The City’s contribution is a letter of support for the bid, and $300 thousand dollars . According to Events Prince George,  80% of that investment will be returned.

Councillor Don Zurowski says  he won't support it,  especially after  guaranteeing  a payout of $400 thousand dollars to  bring a new airline to Prince George. 

Councilor Don Basserrmann says there is a $190 thousand in a special events trust, and he sees no reason  not to use  that money.   He says the committment can be met with a 1/10th of a percentage hike in taxes this year, and the same  next year.

Councilor Sherry Sethen wonders why this kind of item is coming before Council on such short notice, as the   bid has be submitted by the 15th of this month " I feel put into a corner when it comes this late, even if it is  good for the community."  She also noted the amount of the request is exactly the amount the canadian Curling Association needs for  certain items so she wonders if the CCA has any financial responsibiity  in this event.  "I do believe it is an opportunity for us, and I will support the motion to move forward."

The Mayor figures the net cost to the city will be minimal compared to the  City's chance to be on the national stage.

Events P.G. says the money doesn’t have to all come now,  that $150 thousand earmarked for  October of 2008 and the balance in 2009 would suffice.  There is competition for this bid, as the City of Winnipeg is going for it,  and it has the approval of  Winnipeg City Hall, and the support of the Manitoba Provincial Government.

The Mayor says  he will  immediately  call  the B.C. Government to see if it will support the bid,as Manitoba has supported Winnipeg

The CN Centre has already been booked for this event, just in case the City wins this bid.

Only Councilor Zurowski voted against the motion.

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