The Cariboo Ski Touring Club has made a funding request to Quesnel City Council.
The group is seeking up to 37 thousand dollars to update the biathlon range out at Hallis Lake so that it’s suitable to host events for the 2024 BC Winter Games.
City Manager Byron Johnson noted at this week’s Council meeting that the benefits would go beyond that.
“I think it’s important to note that this project will have lasting benefits to the community of Quesnel, and that would be for young athletes to national races, and BC Cup races. Those races bring in competitors from around the region, and really for some of those around the province and a larger catchment area even, so there is potential strong benefits for Quesnel.”
Johnson said this money would be on top of the funding commitments that the city has already made to get the games, but Johnson also added that Lhtako Dene First Nation, Quesnel’s partner in hosting the games, has already put in an extra 50 thousand dollars.
The original request was going to be for 40 thousand dollars but Tanya Black, the President of the Cariboo Ski Touring Club, talked about a few developments that had taken place since then.
“We have a few confirmations. From West Fraser, they have committed to $10,691 in lumber for the project. The Northern Directors CRD Caucus has earmarked 10 thousand dollars for the project. And we’re leaving no stone unturned for other opportunities, so our ask has changed to an up to 37 thousand dollars.”
Black said that they have funding inquiries into Osisko Barkerville Gold, Enbridge, Lhtako, and the BC Winter Games to find out if they qualify for money under the equipment upgrades for clubs budget.
Time is running out as the work would have to be done this year for it to be ready for the 2024 BC Winter Games.
Council referred the request to the Financial Sustainability and Audit Committee to discuss at its next meeting on June 22nd.
.