The BC Track and Field Championship Jamboree will be held in Prince George in 2021.
The Prince George Track and Field Club is the official host in partnership with the city and the event will be held at the newly refurbished Masich Place Stadium.
Zone 8 representative Cathy Johnston along with the Prince George Track and Field board got the official approval from the BC Athletics Bid Committee last week.
More good news comes to athletes of all ages as the club also announced the 2020 BC Masters Championships will be held in conjunction with the Spruce Capital meet from June 12 to 14.
"We are hoping hosting these high-level events will rally the community volunteers to be ready for the 2022 BC Summer Games," Elena Thomas, president of the Prince George Track and Field club, said.
While the provincial jamboree will be held in 2021 in Prince George, Nanaimo will hold the event in 2022 and 2023.
“The Jamboree is the premiere track and field meet in our province," Chris Winter, technical manager for track and field at BC Athletics, said. "We feel it is critical for the development of our sport that athletes from across our province get the opportunity to participate in our provincial championships. Additionally, both Prince George and Nanaimo have a strong history of championship hosting and we feel confident they can deliver great championships that will help to continue to grow our sport."
The date for the 2021 BC Track & Field Championships Jamboree has been tentatively set for June 25 to 27, 2021.
“Prince George track and field club is extremely excited about hosting the 2021 BC Athletics Track & Field Championship Jamboree," Thomas said. "With the renovations on our Masich Stadium coming to completion, we are looking forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, officials, and fans of the sport from around the province to come and compete at our incredible facility. We are looking forward to holding a great championship and hosting other top-level competitions for years to come. We are also eager to welcome people from the community who wish to volunteer with our club to help with the provincial jamboree in 2021 as well as the BC Summer Games in 2022. We will be hosting clinics for volunteer officials starting this spring, so please join us.”
Some of Masich Place Stadium's new or renovated features include a resurfaced rubber eight-lane track, a synthetic infield turf with a built-in shock pad, and revamped jumps and throwing areas.
Work is also currently underway to refurbish Masich Place Stadium even further by upgrading amenities including the field lighting and irrigation, replacing the score clock and PA system, enhancing washrooms and improving the bleachers and other site furnishings. This work is currently underway at the stadium.
“On behalf of city council, I’m delighted that Masich Place Stadium will be holding the first track and field provincial championship since we started the renovation of Masich Place Stadium,” Lyn Hall, Prince George mayor, said. “Congratulations to the PG Track and Field Club for successfully bidding on this event, which will bring hundreds of athletes and their families to Prince George next summer. We can’t wait to showcase our terrific ‘new’ stadium and the hospitality of the people of Prince George.”
Prince George Tourism has done a preliminary study using the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance’s Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model to estimate there will be a $500,000 economic impact when the Track & Field provincial jamboree comes to Prince George next year.
"To maximize the impact to regional tourism, we will encourage athletes and their families to extend their time here, especially as the Jamboree will take place in the summer," Tracey McBride, CEO of Tourism Prince George, said. "Tourists and visitors create great memories here in the north and many return for future holidays, start a business here, or end up relocating. We're excited to showcase what northern BC has to offer."
More information about the 2021 championships will be posted to the BC Athletics website as it becomes available at www.bcathletics.org.
