Organizers of the Mission 2014 BC Winter Games have announced a legacy of $60,000 that will have a direct impact on sport and arts and culture in Mission.
The BC Winter Games came to Mission and surrounding communities in February of 2014. Almost two thousand athletes, coaches, and officials, along with thousands of spectators, converged on Games venues to participate in competitions in 18 different sports.
Direct spending from the Games had an economic impact of $1,583,000. Direct and indirect spending reached $3,251,000, according to a report prepared by the Economic Planning Group, Research Analysts, based in Victoria.
The allocation of the legacy falls into three categories:
• $25,000 will go to KidSport Mission and will be administered by the Mission Sports Council
• $23,000 will go toward grants and bursaries for sport infrastructure and athlete, coach and official development.
• $12,000 will go to arts and culture in Mission. The second and third allocations will be administered by the Mission Community Foundation on a “flow through” basis.
Almost $26,000 in equipment purchased for Games activities was left behind at Hemlock Resort and other venues and will continue to have a local impact. Electrical improvements at Hemlock and Mission Raceway were installed prior to the Games.
In addition, Mission now has a database of more than 400 volunteers who are ready to jump into future events, and many have new expertise developed through training for various roles in the Games. A “Critical Analysis Report” of Games operations will guide similar large activities in the future, and a Community Resources information package now exists to guide developers of other projects.
Mission Mayor Randy Hawes reflected on the Games result, saying “Score it a gold medal for Mission Volunteers! The thousands of hours they volunteered for the Games made them an outstanding success. Well done, Mission!”
Mission 2014 board president Brian Antonson noted that perhaps the biggest ‘leave behind’ was Mission’s ‘Community Smile’. Thousands embraced the BC Winter Games, he says,
and contributed to their success. Hundreds of athletes experienced their first multi-sport Games here, and 67 who competed in Mission moved on to compete at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George this past February.
"The Games," said Antonson, "made a tremendous impact on our community economy, enthusiasm, and spirit, and left Mission feeling very accomplished!"
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brian Antonson,
604-826-8890
604-826-8890
brian.antonson@hotmail.com