The North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee will be recommending the Cariboo Regional District approve up to $18,150 of in-kind support for the City of Quesnel to co-host the BC 55+ Games with the City of Prince George in 2026.
City of Quesnel manager of economic development and tourism, Amy Reid has been working with the City of Prince George, said director of community services Jeff Norburn at an advisory meeting Tuesday, June 14.
“The question was asked could we host the BC 55+ Plus Games here, and the short answer is not in Quesnel,” Norburn said.
“We don’t have the hotel capacity to host it by ourselves, but we could do it in partnership with another community like Prince George. So she has been talking with the City of Prince George and Tourism PG, and they’re quite keen to make a joint application with Quesnel.”
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The BC 55+ Games is held in a different community each year, bringing athletes up to 4,000 athletes for 20-plus sports for five days of hotel stays, restaurant meals and support for the local economy, Reid noted in her report.
If successful, the idea would be for Quesnel to host one-third of the 2026 BC 55+ Games. Proposed sports to be held in Quesnel would include curling, archery, mountain biking, triathlon, swimming, karate, and cribbage or whist.
“It sounds great to me,” said Area C director John Massier. “I’d love to see something like that in our city.”
A bid package is due on June 30, 2022.
Reid said a cash and in-kind contribution is required to host the BC 55+ Games, which would need approximately 1,500 volunteers to organize in Quesnel and Prince George.
A similar report will go to Quesnel City Council at the next council meeting.
(Note: Norburn was incorrectly identified in a previous online and print story: Lighting to be installed at West Fraser Timber Park pickleball and tennis courts as manager for the City of Quesnel. We apologize for the error.)
Read More: ‘The work begins now’ — Quesnel’s 2024 BC Winter Games bid successful
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