The City of Campbell River has been invited to host the 55+ BC Games, formally known as the BC Seniors Games.
Wayne Naka, president of the BC Seniors Games Society, wrote a letter to Mayor Andy Adams inviting the city to submit a bid proposal.
“It is my pleasure to invite your community to host the 30th, 31st and 32nd consecutive annual 55+ BC Games to be held in August or September 2017, 2018 and 2019,” Naka wrote.
“Your community may bid on one or all of these 55+ BC Games, however, only one will be awarded.”
The Games is a multi-sport event which can generate more than $2.1 million in economic spinoff for host communities.
City council, at its Feb. 10 meeting, voted to have city staff come back to council with a report on the feasibility of Campbell River hosting an upcoming edition of the 55+ BC Games.
Naka noted in his letter that if a community does not feel it has all the required facilities to host the games, neighbouring municipalities can submit a single bid.
Such was the case the last time Campbell River hosted the BC Seniors Games.
In 2010, Campbell River and the Comox Valley co-hosted the event.Approximately 3,300 athletes – plus coaches and officials – participated in 28 competitive games and sports including badminton, cycling, darts, bowling, slo-pitch, tennis, disc golf, bocce ball, bridge, pickleball, one-act plays, and track and field.Campbell River hosted 12 sports while the Comox Valley hosted the remainder.
Naka said should the city choose to submit a bid and be successful, the BC Senior Games will assist the city and Games volunteers with the financial demands of hosting the event.
“We provide financial support in the amount of $85,000 in funds from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, a portion of all participant registration fees and contribute to the cost of facility rentals, equipment and officials through various sport fees,” Naka said.
The city has until noon on June 26 to put in a bid proposal should it choose to do so.