April
29, 2000
VICTORIA – The
$1.1 million in spending during the 2000 BC Winter Games in Quesnel makes
the Games the largest event ever hosted in the city, Ian Waddell, Minister
of Small Business, Tourism and Culture announced today.
The BC Winter Games
had a measured direct economic impact of $1.1 million during the three-day
event in March. The economic impact study figure includes $784,000 spent
by participants, spectators and volunteers, and $306,000 spent by the host
organization, and the BC Games Society.
"Beyond
developing young athletes and showcasing our communities, the economic
benefits of the BC Winter Games clearly indicate the hard work by the
board, volunteers and the city of Quesnel," said Waddell, who is also
Minister Responsible for Sport. "Congratulations to everyone who
helped make the Games such a great success."
Mayor Steve Wallace
added, "We have a number of summer events which are a great boost to
our local economy during the summer, but the Winter Games beat them all.
This is especially significant, because we know many of the visitors now
know what great hosts we are in Quesnel, and will visit again in the
summer."
Spending per
participant was up slightly from the last economic impact study for the
Vernon Winter Games in 1992. "I am happy to see that the economic
impact of the Games has remained strong, as we focus the Games on
developing young athletes," said B.C. Games Society Co-chair Marion
Lay. "I think we will see spending climb as more and more
supporters and parents start coming to the Games to see their children
compete. The Games will be one of the most important competitions of their
young lives."
The economic impact
study was conducted by The Economic Planning Group of Canada, author of
previous studies at several BC Games.
Contacts:
Lister Farrar, BC Games media relations: (250) 356-3012
Mayor Steve Wallace, City of Quesnel: (250) 992-2111
Paige MacFarlane, Communications Branch,
Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture:
(250) 953-4692
