Kamloops Will Cry, But PG Will be a Good Host

(Aired on September 17, 2010)

Well, good for Prince George.  P.G. won the right to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games today.  It's believed the games will bring 3600 athletes and $60-million in economic activity to the winning city.

That, of course, would have been more than welcome in Kamloops, but is even more necessary in Northern BC.  Though it wasn't that long ago that Kamloops had a local economy dominated by the forest industry.  Insightful and innovative leadership in both the public and private sector led to better diversity in the business community here.  That hasn't been the case in Prince George, where the economy is still largely based on forestry.  And with the downturn, the entire region is hurting.  So in that way, it's good for P.G.

Here's another reason it will work out well for Prince George - 2015 will be the 100th anniversary of the city's incorporation.  There may be some negative aspects to the city.  I've never visited, but people who have tell me it's poorly laid out, the downtown has virtually been abandoned, and of course, it stinks.  But apparently, contrary to popular belief, Prince George does have adequate facilities to host the event.  And they have five years to get up to speed.

Good on Kamloops for a strong bid, I'm sure we'll get many more high profile events in the future.  For now, we'll cry in our beer, and tomorrow's another day.