Neighbour backs Ironman bid
Lake Country wants to bring a major international sports event to the region.
Council agreed Tuesday to endorse Kelowna’s bid to host Ironman Canada.
“It will get the Okanagan more widely known,” said Mayor James Baker.
Baker anticipates that besides bringing thousands of people here for the event, Ironman could lead to people selecting the Okanagan for holidays or purchasing homes here.
Council had a presentation from Jim Gabriel, Kelowna’s director of recreation and cultural services, Tuesday.
There was some preliminary discussion about Lake Country’s role in Ironman.
“If they run a route through Lake Country, we will make sure we give them all of the help needed and the engineering help,” said Baker.
“We will select the safest routes and the most scenic routes.”
Financial obligations, particularly with closing roads down for athletes, has not been discussed.
“We haven’t seen what any cost may be,” said Baker.
Kelowna is in the running for Ironman Canada with Whistler and Huntsville, Ont.
Vernon had also put forward a bid package, but it did not make the short-list.
“If Vernon had been on the short-list, we’d be backing them too,” said Baker.
The successful community will be announced Oct. 10 in Hawaii.
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