The recent Prince George-hosted Canada Winter Games will be remembered for leaving a legacy of community spirit and volunteerism but it's also about leaving something tangible.
Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond was able to add to that legacy with a $25,000 cheque for the Prince George Titans wheelchair basketball program, accepted by founders Pat and Nancy Harris.
Prior to revealing the government's contribution, Bond read from a letter the group had written outlining its fundraising efforts. The $25,000 goal was set to purchase 12 sport wheelchairs as well as apply for matching funds for more equipment from a Canadian Paralympic Committee program.
"This is a meaningful and tangible legacy of the Canada Winter Games, of the amazing athletes that participated and of the tireless work that Pat, Nancy, Avril and their team have done - and basically they've done it on bubble gum and binder twine," said Bond.
The Harris-led program has raised money to equip a variety of schools across the north with sport wheelchairs to promote inclusion among young peers.
"This is thrilling and very unexpected," said Nancy, who teared up at the announcement.
A chair to suit the school's purposes can be purchased for about $2,000, Nancy said.
"But what I hope to do is leverage this money to buy more wheelchairs. Vanderhoof school district has some sport chairs (as well as) Prince George, Fort St. John. I hope to raise enough money to try to get six into as many other school districts as possible," she said. "Twenty-five thousand dollars goes a long way, but I hope to really expand that to at least get some equipment into every northern school district."
The province is hoping to capitalize on the 2015 Canada Winter Games and other prominent sporting events to market B.C. as the go-to destination for events.
Backed by a group of Games volunteers who broke out their infamous green jackets - incongruous in the mild May weather - for the event at Canada Games Plaza, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes announced the government's plan for a five-year hosting strategy.
"Since the Winter Games I've had the opportunity to go back and reflect and really think about the impact it's made not just in Prince George but the entire north and the entire province of British Columbia," said Oakes.
Sport and event tourism is a significant economic generator for B.C., said Oakes. And with events of all sizes happening across the province, the government wanted a plan to pull all the relevant information together.
"We have done a significant amount of outreach throughout provincial sport organizations, event organizations to really draw in over the next five years through Via Sport what type of (events) are happening in British Columbia. From there we can say 'what are the ones we want to target,'' Oakes said, citing specifically opening the doors to opportunities for women in sport.
A Hosting Toolkit is also being developed to help communities and organizations attract, manage and leverage events to boost tourism revenue. This will include resources such as a province-wide recreation facility inventory, an economic impact assessment tool, bid package templates as well as volunteer training and management tools.
Friday's announcement also marked the launch of the EventHostBC grant program - a one-time $250,000 pot available on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible non-profits to receive a maximum of $5,000 in support of new or existing events.
"It might be that ball tournament, it might be a music fest, it might be a cultural event, it might be the quilting guild that brings something into a community that just needs a little bit of extra help, but is driven by volunteers and brings people into the region," said Oakes.
Application information can be found on the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development website under the Arts and Culture section.
