Coquitlam’s plans to host the 2016 BC Seniors Games are in peril after the city of Vancouver won the bid for the Americas Masters Games, an event that takes place at the same time and would attract similar athletes and audiences.
No final decision has been made by Coquitlam to pull out of the BC Seniors Games and council is currently discussing alternatives. But city staff are concerned that sponsors, spectators and volunteers may be drawn to the larger AMG at the expense of the Tri-City event.
“We are still trying to leave no stone unturned,” Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart told The Tri-City News yesterday. “We absolutely value these games but, at the same time, we are worried that having two competing sporting events at the same time will put them both at risk.”
On Monday, The Tri-City News obtained a copy of a letter that was circulating among BC Seniors Games Society members asking people to lobby the mayor, council and several MLAs to ensure the event went forward. The letter stated that as of June 15, Coquitlam had backed out of hosting the games.
But on Tuesday, staff clarified the city’s position in a press release, noting that no decision has been made and council is still considering its options.
Richard Hopkins, the Fraser Valley zone director with the BC Seniors Games, forwarded the letter to several members, but would not comment on the issue when contacted by The Tri-City News.
Gordon Oates, the secretary treasurer of the society, also said he would not comment while discussions were still taking place with the city.
“We are still waiting ourselves on the final decision,” he said Tuesday morning. “We are still meeting with them today.”
Coquitlam won the bid for the 2016 BC Seniors Games in 2013 and planned on making the event one of the cornerstones of its 125th anniversary celebrations.
More than 3,500 athletes from across the province were expected to compete in 26 sports over the four-day competition, which the city estimated would generate $2 million in economic offshoots.
Vancouver won the bid to host the inaugural Americas Masters Games back in 2014. The event is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and is expected to attract 7,500 athletes, 1,000 coaches and 2,000 volunteers.
While the final numbers have not been firmed up, the Masters Games is budgeting to spend $6 million, the bulk of which would come from corporate sponsors.
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