Making a direct impact on sports in Penticton, $62,000 in Legacy Funds was disbursed to local groups from the organizers of the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games.
The BC Winter Games brought 1,700 athletes, coaches, and officials to Penticton and area in February of 2016 to participate in 17 sports, including four for athletes with a disability.
“Our city is known for hosting high profile events and festivals, so it is fantastic to see the lasting impact of these events going back to our local community,” said Andrew Jakubeit, Mayor of Penticton. “The Games were a great success and we are proud of all who contributed and volunteered to ensure the community would benefit.”
It is through rigorous cost controls overseen by the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games Society, Corporate and Funding partners, the success of the Friends of the Games sponsorship program, and the sale of merchandise that these funds are available.
“Over two years ago many volunteers started the journey bringing the Games to Penticton. While the experience of hosting, community spirit, and the skills learned by volunteers were all immediate positive impacts, today, we get to hand out the Legacy Funds that will continue to support events and young athletes for years to come,” said Bill Bidlake, President of the Penticton 2016 BC Winter Games. “We hope the funding to these groups continues to show that Penticton’s Got Game.”
READ MORE: BC Winter Games leaves a legacy for local youth
The Legacy Funds provide financial support to non-profit sport, recreation and community organizations.
The allocation of the Legacy Funds is as follows:
• Apex Freestyle Club: $10,000 for installing water and power lines — this will increase the length of their season and attract other clubs, provincially, nationally and internationally, to use the hill.
• Apex Ski Club: $4,000 for TV/video monitor and signage — for training and timing purposes. This will increase capacity for hosting future events.
• Archery/Princess Margaret School: $10,000 for netting and an electric winch. The group also anticipates a grant from the Penticton Indian Band.. The equipment will be for community use on weekends.
• KISU Swim Club: $8,000 for new swim meet electronics timing equipment and touch pads.
• School District 67: $7,000 for winter games equipment for all of the elementary schools. All Kindergarten to Grade 6 students will be introduced to a variety of winter sports due to the purchase of this equipment. Schools will be paired and will share the same equipment. School district staff will provide professional development for the elementary teachers.
• Nickel Plate Nordic Centre: $10,000 to install lighting for a trail to accommodate night skiing. All families will benefit from this purchase.
• Special Olympics Penticton: $3,000 for equipment and uniforms.
• Penticton Minor Lacrosse: $10,000 for indoor turf carpet which will provide a year-round opportunity for minor dry-floor sport associations to access one of Penticton’s premiere arenas. It also can be used by other sporting organizations such as pickleball, tennis, soccer, and field hockey. In addition, they will receive future funding from the Games GST rebate.
Games facts:
– 16, 371 total meals served
– 42,368 photos where posted to the website by volunteer digital media reporters
Tourism Stat
– A comparable February weekend in 2015, Penticton hotel capacity was at 25 per cent. In 2016, the February Games weekend hotel capacity was at 95 per cent.
Economic Impact
– Upwards $484,000 in direct spending in the Penticton community from the Host Society Games operational budget.
– Estimated 1.6 million in economic impact. (this number was from a formal economic impact study done from the Mission 2014 BC Winter Games. A economic impact study was not done for Penticton, but this number is comparable)
– $73,671 in a financial legacy will be reinvested back into the Penticton community by the Legacy Committee.
