Two years ago, Prince George successfully hosted its first-ever international sporting event, the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships.
Now, the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club (CNSC) is hoping the city will play host to another event of the same calibre.
The club has asked city council to provide financial support of up to $250,000 towards hosting the 2024 World Para Biathlon Championships and World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals.
However, during last night’s meeting (March 22), councillors decided to delay making the decision for 90 days until city staff and the CNSC can work together to explore a budget and possible funding options for the event.
In 2019, the city supported Caledonia Nordic with $250,000 from its Major Events Reserve.
“The 2019 World Championships put Prince George on the world stage as the event was live-streamed around the world with over one million viewers,” said Kevin Pettersen, Caledonia Nordic Ski Club’s director of competitions.
“It even attracted the attention of King Harald V of Norway, who personally congratulated Norwegian Para Nordic skier Vilda Nilsen, who at just 18 years old, won a record eight World Championship gold medals in Prince George at her first World Championships.”
Pettersen says early funding commitment of $250,000 by the City of Prince George was directly responsible for an additional $675,000 of grants, and also was directly responsible for the success of the 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, which was a $4.3-million positive economic impact to the city.
Specifically, the club is asking for...
- $20,000 in April 2021 = Announcements, video production, audio-visuals, branding, marketing and promotion, planning and preparation
- $20,000 in January 2022 = Attendance at 2022 World Championships for learning and observation
- $210,000 in January 2023 = Meet deadlines for matching grant applications for Sport Canada ISEE grant programs
In recent years, the Major Events Reserve has been maintained through a sustainable funding source of annual contributions of $200,000 from the City’s Gaming Revenues.
However, because of COVID-19, casinos have been closed since March 2020 and the city is temporarily not receiving any revenues from this program.
The city says the remaining uncommitted balance in the major events reserve is approximately $66,000, so the Major Events Reserve could fund the $20,000 installment in 2021 and the $20,000 installment in 2022, but not the remaining $210,000.
While supportive of the idea, many councillors were reluctant to commit to the full funding request.
“I can’t commit that amount of money again in times of such uncertainty and this is no reflection on the value or the worthiness of this event,” said Coun. Terri McConnachie.
“I can’t in good conscience risk this coming back to us as an addition to the tax levy.”
Coun. Cori Ramsay said there were too many unknowns and suggested exploring other options.
“The fact the reserve has only $66,000 in it and we are being asked for $250,000 and its either going to end up in the tax levy or we are going to have to pull it from somewhere else.”
City of Prince George Finance Director Kris Dalio said that without the gaming revenue, the city is limited with funding options.
“I think if I had a better option for you I would have put it in the report,” said Dalio, later adding, “I want to be upfront with council though I don’t know of any other options.”
However, Dalio did note in the report that with vaccination efforts currently in place, it is likely that the city’s gaming revenues will be restored prior to the 2023 tax year.
Pettersen said he did not want to paint council in a corner and said the club had a flexible timeline before it needed a firm commitment from the city.
“For me, I would feel much better with the city to have more certainty about when revenues are flowing from the casinos. I almost feel like it might have been a misstep to bring this forward now until there’s more certainty around that.”
Mayor Lyn Hall suggested staff to work with the CNSC to get a better idea of the budget, sponsorship agreements and other funding partners.
Dalio suggested a 90-day timeframe, as the city is working on a May 31 report for the Finance and Audit Committee detailing reserve balances.
“Maybe that would also help everyone understand what money is available and for what purposed and have some supporting documentation to that.”
