Canada Games seek billet, rental accommodations

Organizers of the 2015 Canada Winter Games are seeking residents willing to provide accommodation for visitors and volunteers during the games.

Through the Homestay Host Program, games organizers will be publishing a list of area residents willing to billet, rent a room to, or rent their entire home to visitors coming for the games, which run Feb. 13 to March 1.

"We really want everyone that comes to the games to have an exceptional experience," said Alyson Gourley-Cramer, games manager of communications and community relations. "Multi-sport competitions have a real history of homestay and billeting programs. One of the advantages of this program is it's not a have to have, it's a nice to have. We've already been able to account for what we need [in terms of visitor accommodation.]"

Prince George residents interested in being part of the program can apply online at www.canadagames2015.ca or by picking up an application form at Canada Games House, located at 545 Quebec St.

Over the summer a team from the Canada Winter Games will assess the applications, including a home evaluation visit.

"It needs to be clean, it needs to be safe and it needs to include all the amenities listed," Gourley-Cramer said. "Really, it's about giving an exceptional experience to visitors. We're pretty confident that people participating in the program [will be] very enthusiastic about supporting the games."

Once potential hosts are assessed, an online database will be launched in the fall to allow visitors to contact potential hosts directly. The searchable database will show photos and provide map locations in relation to games venues.

Games organizers will work with potential hosts to help establish a consistent pricing schedule.

If visitors have any problems with the accommodations, they will have, "an opportunity to work with somebody with the Canada Games to ensure their stay is what they expected it would be," Gourley-Cramer said.

Potential hosts able to provide specialized accommodation for visitors with special needs, billet minors and fluent in English and French are especially needed, she said.

"The Homestay Host Program is a unique way for residents of Prince George to show off northern B.C.'s renowned hospitality..." games CEO Stuart Ballantyne said in a written statement. "Homestay Hosts have the opportunity to provide visitors with a truly unique northern experience, to further share our northern story with the nation."