The Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games raised a Games record $775,000+ to host the multi-sport event July 17 – 20, 2014. When the final calculations were completed, the Games’ legacy fund topped $120,000. At Beban Park on October 21st, the Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games doled out $65,000 to community projects.
Jeff Lott, Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games President, stated, “The Nanaimo BC Summer Games were a tremendous success due in large part to the generosity of our corporate and community partners. We are so proud to leave such a large and permanent legacy of the Games in Nanaimo.”
The BC Games Society received $55,000 to support future Games and the remaining funds were disbursed as follows;
1) $20,000 to the City of Nanaimo for a score clock to be installed at Merle Logan Field
2) $30,000 to the Nanaimo Foundation which will provide two annual $1,000 scholarships (one male, one female) to students from the Nanaimo area
• Games legacy dollars were doubled by the Community Foundation for a total of $60,000
3) $15,000 to Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association (DNBIA) for a portable ‘community stage’ to be used by sport and performance groups
• Games legacy dollars were leveraged with the DNBIA, Young Professionals of Nanaimo, and Nanaimo City Centre Association. Total project is $57,000
When asked, “Why these projects,” Bruce Hunter, Chair of the Games Legacy Committee explains; “The Board identified capital projects, which when leveraged with our Games legacy contribution, would benefit community as a whole. We believe these projects will benefit Nanaimo for many years to come”.
Leaving a legacy in the communities where they are hosted has been a long-standing tradition for the BC Games Society who also benefited from the Games’ success.
“While the BC Summer Games took place over four wonderful days in Nanaimo, the benefits to the community are long lasting,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society.
“Hundreds of volunteers are now trained and experienced, sport facilities received upgrades, and now the legacy fund projects will continue to support events and individuals for many years to come. Congratulations to the Board of Directors for the 2014 BC Summer Games for their extraordinary work to make this vision a reality.”
Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games Facts:
The Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games took place July 17 – 20, 2014 and featured 2414 athletes, coaches, and officials from across the province, competing at 19 different venues in Nanaimo, Parksville, and Cowichan. 2946 local volunteers contributed to hosting the Games and the Games contributed $2 million to the local economy.
PHOTO ABOVE: (from left to right)
Jeff Lott, President Nanaimo 2014 BC Summer Games, Ian Thorpe, City of Nanaimo Councillor, Ted Carson, Chair of the Nanaimo Foundation, Laurie Bienert, Development Officer Nanaimo Foundation, and Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society.
See the video from the event below.