There is still roughly $980,000 still to be raised to fully fund the 2015 Canada Winter Games, and organizers said they're not focused on meeting that number, but exceeding it.
"We're committed to not only eliminating that but building a financial legacy for the city," said Games CEO Stuart Ballantyne, during an update to city council on Monday night.
The remaining funds required make up about two per cent of the revenue needed to put on the two-week event next February.
"We feel not only will we achieve that number, but we'll exceed it before Games time," said Ballantyne. "So ticket sales, all of our different revenue opportunities, sponsorship will fill that gap."
Tickets for the Games went on sale in mid September and revenue is at nearly 80 per cent of its goal ($788,295). Sponsorship sales are forecast to bring in $600,000.
The Games also recently signed on new national sponsors, including Panago. There were no national sponsors three years ago, said Ballantyne, but there were three who have signed on for multi-Games deal.
The issue of accommodation remains a sticking point for the host society, which has a hold on about 70 per cent of the hotel rooms in the city.
Home stay and billeting programs are being promoted to try to reduce the number of people - who would most likely be parents and family members of participating athletes - who would have to stay in Vanderhoof and Quesnel and be bussed in early in the morning and returned late at night.
"We haven't set a target," said Ballantyne, about the number of necessary home stay locations, but noted a "couple hundred" houses would be beneficial and more than 1,000 billet spots could be a necessary reality.
