It will cost $104,500 and take the efforts of 150 volunteers to bring the Olympic torch to Kelowna on Jan. 25, 2010. “This is a special opportunity to showcase Kelowna to the world,” says a report to city council outlining plans for the Kelowna leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. The torch’s route will not be announced until a week prior to its arrival but it will ultimately end up in City Park for a community celebration from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. that organizers expect will draw between 15,000 and 20,000 people. Kelowna Olympian Scott Fransden will carry the torch for final 300 metres and light the Official Community Cauldron kicking off the celebration event. VANOC will be responsible for co-ordinating road closures and security measures along the relay route with local law enforcement, while security in City Park will be the responsibility of the city.
The report, submitted by Reid Oddleifseon, the city’s partnership development and research manager, says community benefits includes sports activities, school programs and community participation in the days leading up to the torch’s arrival. Ten schools will participate in the provincial Sport Fit program for three weeks before the torch’s arrival. Each school will get a presentation on the relay and “make your own” Olympic Torch templates. The cost of the relay and festivities are being split between the City of Kelowna ($48,000), the province ($40,000), the federal government ($15,000) and in-kind contributions ($1,500).
$16,500 is being spent on giveaways. 10,000 glow candles emblazoned with the city’s new logo and the Kelowna Believes slogan will be distributed along with 10,000 mini Canadian flags. One thousand pairs of the official Olympic red mittens have been also been purchased, according to the report, and will be used to promote the torch’s arrival. Event locations include Big White, local schools, UBC Okanagan, Okanagan College, sporting events and the new Jim Stuart Park skating rink. The torch will spend the night in Kelowna and leave from city hall in the morning of Jan. 26. A replica of the torch has been bought as a keepsake for the city.
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Budget for Vernon Olympic Torch Ceremony:
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