Coquitlam needs to showcase its sports sites better to bring more tourism money to the local economy, a city councillor says.
Coun. Doug Macdonell, the city's recreation committee chair, is pushing for ways to make Coquitlam and Town Centre Park - home to a half-dozen grass and artificial fields - an economic development driver with national and international events.
The park hosted World Police and Fire Games events in 2009 and, before that, the U-19 World Lacrosse Championships. Blue Mountain Park was the meeting point for the 2008 Canadian Jr. Little League Championships while the Poirier sports complex has hosted Minto and Mann cup lacrosse action. And next year, from Aug. 21 to 27, the 2012 Canadian Women's Open Golf Tournament will be at the Vancouver Golf Club, an LPGA tour stop that's expected to attract 126 million television viewers.
Meanwhile, on a smaller scale, Coquitlam is also considering its bid for the 2016 BC Summer Games with an eye to cashing in on the money spent by athletes, coaches, fans and families on hotel rooms, meals and local shopping.
"Sports tourism has great spin-offs for our businesses and community," Macdonell said. "They can stay and shop here."
He pointed to Kelowna, Kamloops and Penticton as examples of municipalities that have worked with sports organizations to host major tournaments (in January, Kelowna was home to the International Children's Winter Games).
Asked how Coquitlam would compete against other Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley cities, like Langley, also seeking sports tourists, Macdonell said, "We have so many active sports groups and dedicated volunteers in the city, and I think the city has really fallen down in using these assets.
"Sports tourism is something that's attainable for Coquitlam," he said.
Pasha Sheikh, general manager of the Executive Plaza Hotel and Conference Centre in Coquitlam, said Burnaby is the city's top competition when it comes to sports tourism, especially with its facilities at Deer Lake Park and 8-Rinks. A new direction is needed for Coquitlam, which he said in the past hasn't marketed itself well as a destination.
Masood Osmani, general manager of the Best Western Chelsea Inn in Coquitlam, said he, too, would like to see more sports tourism in the city "because we have a great, great location, especially for hockey and lacrosse."
Osmani estimates up to a quarter of his out-of-town guests visit Coquitlam for sports events during the peak seasons.
Mike Hind, executive director of the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce and a former Basketball BC executive director, said Coquitlam has a few hurdles to overcome when it comes to drawing in sports tourism, namely locating a hotel in the City Centre, close to Town Centre Park.
"That's the number one criticism that I hear from user groups," he said. "There needs to be more hotel space [nearby]."
While Burnaby is the main rival, Coquitlam has just as many good sites, Hind said, such as Planet Ice, the renovated Poirier sports complex, two indoor public pools and the cluster of artificial fields at Town Centre Park he said are under-utilized.
"The track [at Percy Perry Stadium] is now at international standards and I think we should really be taking the next step and get sports tourism going here," he said.
Across Canada, sports tourism is becoming more organized, with national and provincial agencies created to support the estimated $2-billion sector. According to Langley's sports tourism strategy, it is estimated 32% of U.S. tourists and 31% of international visitors come to Canada to take part in sports or outdoor activities.
