Kelowna News

Kelowna's hospitality industry will get a shot in the arm as more than 3,000 athletes will descend on the city for the B.C. Summer Games, which begin Thursday.

While the athletes will be housed in schools throughout School District 23, parents, relatives and others will need to seek accommodations throughout the region.

Visitors are estimated to spend in excess of $500,000 a day over the course of the four day event.

"It has an influx to the economy. I know in Kamloops, for example, it generated roughly $2.3 million to the local economy there, so we can expect similar spinoffs here for Kelowna," says Kelowna Chamber of Commerce CEO, Weldon LeBlanc.

"I haven't heard how hotels are doing, but I would suspect that with the number of people attending and participating in the summer games, that the hotel and hospitality would be doing quite well."

Games President, Ron Rubadeau, says he believes the local economy will benefit by about $3.2 million.

Included in that total says Rubadeau is $1.2 million in sponsorship money and in kind donations from the many games sponsors, including the City of Kelowna.

"We'll use our $1.2 million in funding to help our 3,000 participants achieve their personal best," says Rubadeau.

"We're also encouraging our volunteers and all other citizens of Kelowna to put on their personality best."

Rubadeau says games organizers are ready to welcome the athletes to town.

"In the last month, we've signed up 1,400 volunteers. This, with the 1,200 we already had signed up by June 1, will ensure that there will be one outstanding show. We are now on time, we are now on budget and we are now ready. It's time to make this the best B.C. Games ever."

Meantime, the City of Kelowna has announced a number of road closures for the games, Thursday, July 24 to Sunday, July 27.

Road closures, parking restrictions and parking lot closures will be in effect, including:

Cawston Avenue
Closed from Water to Ellis Street during the Games Village Hours:

• Thursday, July 24 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
  
• Friday & Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  
• Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Recreation Avenue
Closed from Ellis to Richter Street at:

• 6 p.m on Wednesday, July 23 until 3 p.m.
  
• Sunday July 27 to accommodate food service and drop off/pick up of athletes.

Waterfront Park Parking Lot
Closed to the public beginning at 6 a.m. on:

• Friday, July 25 and will re-open the morning of Monday, July 28.

Other road interruptions and restricted parking include:

Thursday, July 24 - Athlete Procession for the Opening Ceremony
Time: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Route: Kelowna Curling Club through to park walkway along Manhattan Drive, Rotary Marsh and Waterfront Park.
Impacts: Traffic delays at the intersections of Ellis Street and Recreation Avenue, Sunset Avenue at Rotary Marsh and Water Street at Waterfront Park.

Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26- Triathlon/Duathlon/Aquathon/Road Cycling
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Impacts: Limited public access to Gyro Beach Park restricted parking on Watt Road adjacent to Gyro Park Parking lot within the park will be used for transition area. Swordy Road closed from Lakeshore to Casorso Road.

Watch for lane restrictions along the routes looping from Casorso to KLO Road to Gordon to Casorso as well as along Lanfranco Road. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times motorists are to observe all traffic controls and watch for race participants.