S R A SE S Y A ! D D N E K E E FINAL W WITH D A E D I SEE INS
Pitch perfect VIU women’s and
men’s soccer teams in first place in PacWest. PAGE 18
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VOL. 26, NO. 41
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Estimates peg Games legacy at $2 million BY GREG SAKAKI THE NEWS BULLETIN
The B.C. Summer Games brought other rewards beyond gold, silver and bronze medals. According to a study released this week, the 2014 Games in Nanaimo generated a direct economic impact of $2 million to the region. “It’s an extremely good figure and we’re very pleased with that and pleased that the Games had that impact on the community,” said Jeff Lott, Games president. “It was significant, we made it happen, we were pleased, the sponsors were very pleased and I think the community as a whole really benefited.” The B.C. Summer Games were held July 17-20. Total spending was $1,968,700, with $821,700 coming from Games organizers and $1,147,000 from participants, spectators and volunteers. At the 2002 B.C. Summer Games in Nanaimo, total spending was $2,030,800, with $562,900 from organizers and $1,467,900 from participants, spectators and volunteers. “When we were comparing [2014] to
previous Games, we had anticipated the number to be slightly higher, but I’m not going to be disappointed,” Lott said. “This is a different time and place.” According to the study, prepared by Economic Planning Group of Victoria, 48 per cent of spectators came from outside Vancouver Island. Accommodation spending totalled $195,900 and restaurant meals accounted for $122,160. The Games president mentioned that beyond the direct economic impact, there will be spinoffs, such as greater a w a re n e s s a b o u t the region’s tourist attractions. Lott said spor t tourism is a growing industry in B.C. and suggested Nanaimo will continue to have opportunities to attract athletes and sports teams, from youth divisions to seniors. “We have the facilities, we’ve got the infrastructure, the community has seen the benefit of it,” Lott said. “It certainly would be good to keep our eyes open … The community would be ready for it.” sports@nanaimobulletin.com
Quality & Service at Budget Prices Wisecrack Of The Week
The more you say, the less people remember.
Keeping pace
Const. Tyson Richard, of Port Hardy RCMP detachment, left, Carla Johnson, of Island Radio Nanaimo, front right, and the rest of the 2014 Tour de Rock team ride into Maffeo Sutton Park for a public meet and greet and family barbecue Monday. For the story, please see page 10. CHRIS BUSH THE NEWS BULLETIN
Handful of hopefuls vie for mayor’s chair
I
NOMINATIONS OPEN for election in November.
BY TAMARA CUNNINGHAM THE NEWS BULLETIN
Al Thompson doesn’t like the way the city is being run, so he’s tossed his name into the mayoral ring to do something about it. Thompson has become one of the first mayoral candidates to formally enter the race, along with Brunie Brunie.
Coun. Bill McKay and Roger McKinnon have announced intentions to run for the top seat on council, but did not submit nomination papers before press time yesterday. Jim Routledge has indicated a desire to join the race, but said on his website he won’t make a final decision until Oct. 10. He was unavailable for comment. For Thompson, a trucker and business owner, this is his first foray into municipal politics. He said he doesn’t like the way the city is being run, with one
problem being “wasted money” and he’s looking to address issues like spending, investment in social programs and ensuring council – not city hall – controls the municipality. “We’re not helping people. We are spending fortunes on trying to get a tourist here. They don’t come,” he said, adding he’d like to see money spent on better day care, food “for the young folks” and infrastructure repairs. As part of his bid, he supports a three-year freeze on taxes and would like to
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scrap a $4.6-million partnership promise with the Port Theatre Society for a new studio. He calls it silly, questioning why the community needs another theatre. But his first job, if elected, would be to meet with council members, which he said have to get together and form a group that’s friendly toward one another. “We may not all agree, but we have to work together and that’s the way it has to be,” he said. See ‘FIRST’ /10
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