"No longer able to count on the support of the BC government, Vancouver's Outgames organizers are turning to the private sector to ensure the North American portion of the international gay sports and culture festival will continue as planned in 2011," reports Xtra.ca When planning the games in 2007 and 2008, Outgames chair John Boychuk says representatives from "ministries associated with sport" initially made a verbal promise to contribute $400,000 to the event. Eventually that verbal commitment was reduced to $150,000 to $200,000. "A year later they told us that things were a little bit tight but on track," Boychuk says. "After 18 months they said, 'We can't continue to commit to any amount.'" Boychuk says the uncertainty surrounding government funding pushed Outgames organizers to move from planning a volunteer-run event to working with a corporate partner. READ MORE
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
BC gov't reneges on promise to fund 2011 Outgames
"No longer able to count on the support of the BC government, Vancouver's Outgames organizers are turning to the private sector to ensure the North American portion of the international gay sports and culture festival will continue as planned in 2011," reports Xtra.ca When planning the games in 2007 and 2008, Outgames chair John Boychuk says representatives from "ministries associated with sport" initially made a verbal promise to contribute $400,000 to the event. Eventually that verbal commitment was reduced to $150,000 to $200,000. "A year later they told us that things were a little bit tight but on track," Boychuk says. "After 18 months they said, 'We can't continue to commit to any amount.'" Boychuk says the uncertainty surrounding government funding pushed Outgames organizers to move from planning a volunteer-run event to working with a corporate partner. READ MORE
