Tight Deadline Ices Bid For National Final:

This is in todays Morning Star Newspaper:

Tight deadline ices bid for national final

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star

Published: July 28, 2009

Any quick stick-handling by Vernon to host a major hockey tournament has been benched.
Council voted Monday not to bid for the 2011 RBC Royal Bank Cup because it just learned about the event and the deadline for submissions is Aug. 19.
“It’s a good event, but with what’s needed, it takes a big commitment. For Aug. 19, it’s too tight,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert.
Hockey Canada had been considering either Thunder Bay, Ont. or Summerside, P.E.I. for the national Junior A tournament but both of those communities have now been rejected. That means the bidding process has been launched again and communities with Junior A teams are being approached.
City officials met with the Vernon Vipers last week to discuss the prospect of putting together a bid package.
“It’s an excellent opportunity but a lot more investigation needs to be done,” said Kevin Poole, economic development manager.
The primary issue to be considered is financial and how to generate the funds needed for hosting.
“You are responsible for everything. You put together the tournament and find local sponsors,” said Poole.
When Prince George hosted the Royal Bank Cup in 2007, it raised $250,000 in cash and $100,000 in in-kind services.
Poole believes it would be difficult to bring sponsors on board in a short time period, and the recession also plays a role.
“Try hitting up sponsors right now. It’s a tough game,” he said.
A volunteer committee would also have to be established to oversee the bid process.
Michelle Jefferson, tourism manager, also urged council not to launch a bid for 2011.
“There would be a profile and great things happen but we would need to analyze it,” she said.
“If we’re putting up money for it, what return on investment would we get?”
Jefferson also pointed out that Greater Vernon will also be hosting the B.C. Winter Games in 2011 and that could place significant pressure on resources.
“It’s an issue of volunteer fatigue,” she said.
While the 2011 Royal Bank Cup has been turned down, council has instructed staff to look at possibly pursuing a sports event for 2012, whether it’s the Royal Bank Cup or an international hockey tournament.
“This is the kind of thing we’d have lots of buy-in on and support from the hockey community,” said Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.