The Caledonia Nordic Ski Club will be asking Council for some financial aid to host the 2024 Para Biathlon World Championships and World Para Nordic Skiing World Cup Finals at tomorrow’s (Monday) meeting.
According to a report to Prince George City Council, the club is asking for support of up to $250,000, should the events be held in Prince George.
The funding would come from the Major Events Reserve, and subject to the Club entering into a Sponsorship Agreement with the City.
The championships were held at the club previously in 2019, utilizing the same amount of funding from the city.
Cost breakdown:
- $20,000 in April to assist with announcements, video production, audio visual, branding, marketing, and miscellaneous planning expenses;
- $20,000 in January 2022 for attendance at 2022 World Championships (learning/observation event)
- $210,000 in January 2023 to meet deadlines for matching grant applications for Sport Canada ISEE grant programs
In recent years, the Major Events Reserve has been maintained through a sustainable funding source of annual contributions of $200,000 from the City’s Gaming Revenues.
This comes from a host financial assistance agreement with the province, in which the City receives 10% of the net revenues of the Treasure Cove Casino.
Due to COVID-19, casinos have been closed since March 2020 and the City is temporarily not receiving any revenues from this program.
The Major Events Reserve still has some residual funds from prior years and the December 31, the balance is about $66,000.
If this funding request is approved by Council, the Major Events Reserve could fund the $20,000 instalment in 2021 and the $20,000 instalment in 2022.
However, the remaining $210,000 could not be funded from existing reserve funds.
The report says the reserve would require a different funding source — possibly the tax levy.
However, the report says it appears likely that the City’s gaming revenues will be restored prior to the 2023 tax year.
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