Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: February 04, 2010 6:00 PM
Regional funding for an international sports event has been finalized. The North Okanagan Regional District board voted Wednesday to provide $25,000 for the 2011 Masters Cross-Country World Cup at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. It will come from money allocated to the former economic development function. “It will bring people to the region and put us on the map,” said Dee Wejr, Enderby director. “I hope the participants will come up and explore Enderby and maybe move there.” It’s anticipated the Masters will draw about 2,000 skiers and spectators from around the world and generate between $4 to $6 million in local economic activity. Wayne Lippert, Vernon director, expects the skiers will have a significant impact on the region. “The World Masters participants are typically more affluent and business people,” he said, adding that they may return for holidays or decide to invest here. “It’s an opportunity to show off the North Okanagan and $25,000 is pretty economical.” The $25,000 will go towards the event’s $500,000 budget.
“We are very pleased with the support,” said Bjorn Meyer, with the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre, of NORD’s funding. Presently, organizers are also hoping the City of Vernon and the regional district will also help with some in-kind services like waiving fees for Wesbild Centre. “The federal government has turned us down and we’re still talking to the province. The door has been fairly closed so far,” said Meyer. Corporate sponsors are also being sought and 50 per cent of the budget will be covered by registration fees. The Masters World Cup runs from March 3 to 11, 2011.
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