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Games leaves $1.1M legacy

As its final act - aside from signing dissolution papers - the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society spoke before city council to present its financial legacy. The society ended in the black with $1.1 million in legacy funds, council heard Monday.
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This file photo shows the opening ceremony of the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George. Esther's Inn Ltd. is suing the Prince George Canada Winter Games Host Society for almost $78,000 in unpaid bills.

As its final act - aside from signing dissolution papers - the 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society spoke before city council to present its financial legacy.

The society ended in the black with $1.1 million in legacy funds, council heard Monday.

Exiting chair Anthony Everett said the "spark" of the idea to bring the Games to Prince George came from city council, so it was fitting that the organization end that way too.

"I'm almost hesitant to bring up numbers because the legacy is much bigger," said Everett, who received a standing ovation from council and staff at the end of his presentation.

Previously the society had announced $500,000 for the Pre-Games Legacy Fund but on Monday Everett reported a further $600,000.

Those funds will go to the Northern BC Community Sport Development Society, which was created in the aftermath of the competition to support grassroots sports development programs.

The money will mostly support northern athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers, the society said.

As a rookie councillor when the city made the decision to back the games almost nine years ago, Garth Frizzell noted if the Games didn't raise the funds, the city would have had to make up the difference.

"That was a massive decision at the time," says Frizzell, before praising the work of the society to make sure that didn't happen.

Coun. Murry Krause noted council repeatedly would ask if it was on target for fundraising and Everett would always come back with a yes.

"It was a major concern...because it was local citizens supporting it as well. Thank you for the legacy you're leaving for northern B.C."

Councillors each took to the mic to thank Everett and the society for the profile the Games gave Prince George and the success of the national event.

But Everett isn't quitting the Canada Games. He's joining the national organization as one of its board of directors.

The society will also transfer the Novak Family Legacy Wall, located in the Prince George Civic Centre lobby, to Pacific Sport Northern BC so it can continue using it as a fundraiser.

The customizable plaques will raise funds for northern sports organizations, athletes, officials, coaches and volunteers.