The BC Liberals are back in power for another four years, after an election campaign that was about pipelines and polls and, very briefly, the proposed privatization of what could have been nicknamed the Dix Dome, but is now Christy Clark’s Crown.
The business of sport took a back seat during the province’s 40th race for the legislature. Now that it’s over, big questions remain for the pro and amateur sport scenes in B.C.
What about BC Place Stadium?
The most innovative idea of the provincial election was NDP leader Adrian Dix’s plan for a blue-ribbon panel to examine how to turn around money-losing BC Pavilion Corp. (PavCo) and possibly sell BC Place. Big events are on the way, such as the National Hockey League’s Stadium Series and Grey Cup in 2014 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015. But will that be enough? Will it ever become Telus Park or will Paragon Gaming’s hotel/casino complex come to fruition? New PavCo chief operating officer Ken Cretney takes over from 15-year veteran BC Place general manager Howard Crosley.
What’s in store for viaSport?
BC Liberal-appointed (and party friendly auto dealer) chairman Moray Keith was first to leave the board of the province’s retooled amateur sport-funding umbrella. Then-CEO Scott Ackles departed. Cathy Priestner Allinger is wearing both hats for the time being, while a new CEO is recruited.
What about BC Lottery Corp. (BCLC) and single-event wagering?
Amendments to the Criminal Code that would allow provincial monopolies like BCLC to offer Las Vegas-style betting on sporting events have been stalled in the Senate for almost a year. The Canadian Gaming Association has launched the C290Now.ca campaign to push the red chamber to approve Bill C-290 before summer recess. Deputy Premier Rich Coleman, the minister in charge of gambling and booze, has lobbied the federal government in favour of the amendment, which would boost PlayNow.com and be another revenue stream for casinos.
Fortius fitness
Hunter Dickinson mining executive Scott Cousens was wearing the smile of relief on May 13 to mark the soft launch of the $61 million Fortius Sport and Health complex in Burnaby.
The state-of-the-art, best in Canada sport training and medical facility almost succumbed to the Great Recession in 2008. On the day that reporters were welcomed in, Vancouver Whitecaps’ captain Jay DeMerit was in rehabilitation and Vancouver Canuck Ryan Kesler came in for some off-season training.
The official opening is in September, but the facility is open for business, including a Pharmasave outlet, FitFirst Footwear and SportMed sports medicine shop. Founding tenants include SportMedBC, BC School Sports, BC Athletics, Curl BC, Canoe-Kayak BC, Karate BC, BC Water Polo, Synchro BC and the Roman Tulis European Soccer School of Excellence. Steve Nash paid a visit two days later. The Los Angeles Laker came to the Lake City sports palace to take the ceremonial first shot at the Fortius Gymnasium.
Russian games
Andrea Shaw is shopping her company’s skills in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the annual SportAccord Convention this week. But before she left, TwentyTen Group was named the official marketing agency for the Canada Games Council. The four-year relationship runs through the 2017 Canada Games, which will be part of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
This year’s summer edition is in Sherbrooke, Quebec, from August 2 to 17. The 2015 Winter Games are coming to Prince George, where the organizing committee is headed by Molson Indy boss and 2009 World Police and Fire Games chief Stuart Ballantyne.
Fame games
Time is running out for discounted tickets to the BC Sports Hall of Fame’s Banquet of Champions. The September 19 induction extravaganza will celebrate achievements of sport TV producer Larry Isaac, W.A.C. Bennett Award winner Pat Quinn and the 1965 Ocean Falls Amateur Swimming Club, among others. Tickets are $250 a plate through May 31. The price rises to $290 on June 1. •
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