This is interesting, but this news item doesn't really fit on the rest of the forum, so I guess here is as good a place as any to post it.
I've never heard of this, but it does sound like the Olympic Festival Event that used to be put on as a way to showcase athletes coming up in the ranks before they reached Olympic level competition, perhaps it still is ___________________________________________________________________________
Prince George council considers 2015 bidCouncil warming up to idea of 2015 Games bid
City aims for Games in 2015Published: August 04, 2009 11:00 PM
The City of Prince George is one step closer to bidding on the
2015 Canada Winter Games.On Monday, city council authorized city administration to submit a letter of intent to bid and take part in the technical review process to host the games.
“This is one of the largest multi-sport events in the world,” city recreation coordinator Lisa Shaw-MacLaren said. “It can attract up to 120,000 visitors.”
The Canada Winter Games is a two-week event which has been held every two years since 1967. B.C. will be hosting the games in 2015.
The games are expected to attract over 4,000 athletes, coaches and managers to compete in 19 sports. In addition to those who compete and attend the games, over three million people are expected to watch them on TV.
The games would run either Feb. 12 to March 1, 2015 or Feb. 9 to March 8, 2015.
Athletes will compete in Alpine skiing, archery, badminton, biathlon, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, artistic and trampoline gymnastics, hockey, judo, ringette, target shooting, snowboarding, long and
short-track speed skating, squash, synchronized swimming, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.
In addition to sporting venues, the host city is required to provide an athletes village to act as the administration, media and accommodation centre of the games, Shaw-MacLaren said.
“We currently do not have the capacity to provide this capacity for accommodation,” she said.
Hosting the games will require 6,000 volunteers and a $3 million contribution to facility infrastructure by local government. The provincial and federal governments will each provide $3 million for facilities as well as $8 million for operational costs.
The total hosting cost of the games is estimated at $28 million, city acting director of community services Colleen Van Mook said – leaving the city facing $12 million in hosting costs, plus $3 million in capital costs.
“There will be some sponsorship behind the Canada Games Council. There is also an opportunity for local sponsorships.”
The city’s sports venues would need little work to meet the technical standards required by the games council, Van Mook said.
“We have looked at our sports venues, and we are very confident that they are up to capacity,” Van Mook said. “(But) hotel accommodation would be somewhat limited. That accommodation piece should be a priority.”
With the letter of intent sent, the city has until Oct. 2, 2009 to submit the documentation for the technical review. The council will short-list a number of communities by Dec. 14.
“Should we be short-listed, then we have until May 28, 2010 to submit our final bid,” Van Mook said. “Between now and May we will develop our business plan.”
Hosting the games would be an ideal way to celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary in 2015, she added.
“We’re looking at $90 (million) to $100 million in direct economic benefit,” Mayor Dan Rogers said. “(But) this is a major undertaking. I don’t think we can underestimate the importance of the due diligence. We need to see if we can do this, and the most business-like way to do this.”
Coun. Garth Frizzell said the timing of the games will help draw additional national attention.
“We would be hosting the best in Canada the year before the Summer Olympics.”
Coun. Debora Munoz said the athletes village for the game could be used to meet the city’s housing needs following the games.
“There is a potential for an affordable housing legacy to come out of hosting the games. I think we’re well positioned to succeed in our bid to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games.”