October
30, 2000
VICTORIA
– The $2.2 million spent during the 2000 BC Summer Games in Victoria
ranks the Games among the top events of the season in the city, Ian
Waddell, minister of small business, tourism and culture, said today.
The
measured economic impact of the BC Summer Games impact was the largest
of any BC Summer Games. The economic impact study figure includes $1.41
million spent by participants, spectators and volunteers at the
three-day event in July, and $817,000 spent by the host organization and
the BC Games Society.
"Beyond
developing young athletes and showcasing our communities, the economic
benefits of the BC Summer Games clearly show the hard work by the board,
volunteers and the city of Victoria," said Waddell, who is also
minister responsible for sport. "Congratulations to everyone who
helped make the Games such a great success."
Mayor
Alan Lowe added: "This event provides a wonderful forum for
celebrating our youth's athletic accomplishments. I hope the significant
economic benefits generated this year will encourage other communities
to take on the host role."
Spending
by spectators and participants was up from the last economic impact
study at the Port Alberni Summer Games in 1992. "The economic
impact of the Games has remained strong while we’ve focused the Games
on developing young athletes," said BC Games Society Co-chair
Marion Lay.
"I
think we will see the economic benefits increase as more and more
supporters and parents start coming to the BC Games to see their
children compete," Lay added. "The BC Games will be one of the
most important competitions of their young lives."
The
amount compares favorably with the music festival RootsFest, with an
estimated impact of $2.8 million, and the Royal Victoria Marathon, which
has an estimated impact of $2 million.
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
Marnie Mayhew, Executive Assistant to the Mayor: (250) 361-0558
Paige MacFarlane Communications Branch, Ministry of Small Business,
Tourism and Culture
(250) 953-4692
