Less than a year after it hosted the successful 2010 B.C. Summer Games, 91原创 Township is prepared to bid on another sporting event.

On May 9, council agreed to join 91原创 City in a bid to host the 2014 B.C. Seniors Games. Council made a commitment for a cash contribution of $48,000, plus $44,000 of in-kind support.

James Marvel, the Township鈥檚 manager of recreation facilities and services, advised council in a report that after his staff met with counterparts from the City, it was concluded that a bid should be made for the 2014 Games, rather than the 2013 Games which had been an option.

He noted that 鈥渃onsiderable community effort鈥� went into preparing and hosting last year鈥檚 Summer Games. While 91原创 has never hosted the Seniors Games before, the 91原创 Events Centre has made it possible to draw major competitions. Earlier this year, the Men鈥檚 CIS National Volleyball championships, the 2011 B.C. Gymnastics and Tumbling Championships and the Boys AAA Provincial Basketball Championships all took place in 91原创.

Marvel said that while all sports tourism events that take place in 91原创 generate 鈥渟ignificant鈥� economic benefits, the B.C. Seniors Games 鈥渃ontribute more than most.鈥�

He said that the economic benefit to 91原创 from last year鈥檚 Games exceeded $2 million.

鈥淚f 91原创 is successful in attracting the Games we should expect a similar, if not greater, participation rate and a similar economic benefit,鈥� Marvel said.