The Prince George 2022 BC Summer Games were held in Prince George from July 21-24 and brought 2,915 participants, including athletes, coaches and officials, to participate in 18 sports held at a variety of locations in and around the city. The four-day event is estimated to bring $2 million into the local economy and brings free, inspiring entertainment for all to enjoy.
“Having athletes from every corner of BC gather again in Prince George is a dream come true for competitors, coaches, volunteers and organizers,” said Melanie Mark, Hli Haykwhl Wii Xsgaak, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, before the Games began. “This is an exciting opportunity for our province’s top young athletes to demonstrate their hard work and determination.”
Across the city, 16 venues were activated to host the competition. Of those, five facilities have been invested in by the Trust through various grant programs. Masich Place Stadium was home to track and field competitions on Friday and Saturday, with athletes competing in races, long jump, high jump, hurdles, javelin, relays and other events.
In 2015, the Northern Development Board approved a $250,000 Economic Diversification Infrastructure grant for the City of Prince George to complete significant upgrades to Masich Place Stadium. Improvements included installing a synthetic turf field, track and field throws/jumps development, track resurfacing alongside other site improvements.
Other event hosting facilities that received funding from Northern Development include:
- Prince George Aquatic Centre: $118,952 in Community Halls and Recreation Facilities grant funding for four projects
- Prince George Golf and Curling Club: $80,901 in Community Halls and Recreation Facilities and Recreation Infrastructure grant funding for three projects
- CN Centre: $60,000 in Community Halls and Recreation Facilities grant funding for two projects
- Kin 2 and 3: $30,000 Community Halls and Recreation Facilities grant for one project (Kin 3 was not used during the Summer Games)
Athletes that arrived by air were warmly welcomed at YXS – Prince George Airport. Since 2016, Northern Development has approved $693,997 in grants to support improvement and expansion projects at the airport. Funding for the airport has varied from parking and fuel management systems upgrades to expanding food services and renovations. Grants have been from the former Economic Diversification Infrastructure program and the current Economic Infrastructure program.
