Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 15, 2009 7:00 PM
The Olympic spirit will put Vernon taxpayers financially on the hook. City council agreed Monday to provide up to $10,000 for the Olympic torch relay celebrations in Polson Park Jan. 26. “It doesn’t mean we have to spend the $10,000. It’s just there if we need it,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy, who is chairman of the local Spirit of B.C. committee. The primary reason for the funding is to ensure there are washrooms available for the thousands of people expected to turn out for Olympics festivities. “We didn’t get washrooms built in Polson Park so we had to find some money for (temporary) washrooms,” said Gilroy. Year-round bathrooms are planned for Polson Park but construction will not begin until next spring, while the existing facilities are only designed for summer use and are shut down during the winter. The temporary washrooms will also be used during Winter Carnival activities.
The total budget for the torch relay celebrations is $65,000, with much of that coming from federal and provincial sources. “We hope to make it a terrific event for the community,” said Michelle Jefferson, tourism manager, However, other associated costs could impact the city, including security. “The RCMP are looking after that and we will be using bylaw enforcement and community policing,” said Jefferson. City works crews may also be required for putting up barricades and other duties, but that could be partially covered as part of the $10,000. Gilroy believes celebration will boost local enthusiasm leading up to the Vancouver Winter Olympics and will have long-term benefits for the area. “It (torch relay) will be broadcast all over the world and that’s great for Vernon,” he said.
1 comment:
Councillor Gilroy appears to have a lot of "beliefs" which he believes are substitutes for facts. For most of us this is as close as we get to the Olympics for which we also paid dearly.
Post a Comment