KAMLOOPS WINS WESTERN CANADA SUMMER GAMES BID

KAMLOOPS – The City of Kamloops has been selected to host the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

“The City of Kamloops enjoys a reputation as the Tournament Capital of Canada and its selection as the host city for the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games will build on that reputation,” said Campbell. “The games are expected to deliver $10 million in economic activity for the city, and I congratulate everyone involved in supporting the bid. Kamloops will be a tremendous host and put on a great show for Western Canadians.”

The Sport and Recreation Branch of the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts will provide $1.75 million to help host the games, with matching funds to come from the host community. The summer games consist of nine days of high-calibre multi-sport competition and involve approximately 2,300 athletes and 3,000 volunteers, as well as coaches, managers and officials from four provinces and three territories. The games occur every four years and are expected to boost local sport activities and physical fitness, supporting B.C.’s goal to lead the way in North America in healthy living.

Kamloops was selected by an independent Community Selection Committee after an in-depth site visit on May 3.

Premier Campbell made the announcement as he and Kamloops Mayor Terry Lake officially opened the $23-million Tournament Capital Centre, part of a $48-million sports facility expansion project in Kamloops. The B.C. government provided $6 million in funding for the project through the Major Regional Sports Facilities Initiative and another $4 million in partnership with the federal government under the Canada-B.C. Infrastructure Program.

The funding made possible construction of the McArthur Island Sport Centre’s new Olympic-size rink, dressing rooms, lobby and retail space. The grant assisted in the construction of the 135,000-square-foot Tournament Capital Centre, which includes an international standard indoor track, dedicated gymnastics space, a multi-function gym and office space for sport-related organizations.

“These facility upgrades are just the latest example of the commitment Kamloops has made to support sports training, to attract high-level competition and to capitalize on significant sport tourism opportunities,” said Lake. “They also ensure the people of Kamloops can participate in sports and recreation leading to a healthy and full lifestyle.”

It is estimated that the centre will draw 46 new tournament events each year, resulting in 21,000 new out-of-town visitors and 23,000 room nights of accommodation. These new visitors are expected to generate $6.1 million in direct expenditures and $1.8 million in indirect economic benefits for the community.

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Media contact:	Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218

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