City pays far too much to host Iron man Canada

I respectfully ask for the third time how much income the Subaru Ironman Canada generates for the city of Penticton, that is, including athlete fees and sponsor money.

Respectfully, I also would like to inquire how much of this sum was sent back East and how much remained in City coffers?

I understand, and please correct me if I am mistaken, that little or none of the money stays here in Penticton.

Not only does Penticton not keep the $1 million raised through corporate sponsors and athlete registrations, but in fact, the City pays out $500,000 annually to host the event (if you count in-kind contributions).

What about the two years when the event was cancelled because of COVID? How many millions are we talking about? If you do the math, in 20 years the City of Penticton has given away millions to host a triathlon. Money that could have stayed in Penticton instead of being sent back East.

Another matter is the expense of the bike lanes from lake to lake: $8.5 million at least. Once again, I respectfully ask who designed this project. Were there urban planners involved? Is there, in fact, a cohesive plan? It is hard to tell.

It is my sincere opinion that these millions of dollars would be better spent serving the people of this fine city... and not only a few. What Penticton needs is not a bike lane that, frankly, only benefits a small section of the population.

I would like to see a new health clinic and facilities for the disabled and those in need. We have serious issues that need to be addressed: drug abuse, homelessness, and a lack of childcare and youth programs.

Facing these problems, I feel, is the duty of the mayor of Penticton and its councillors whose salaries are paid by the taxpayers of this city.

If I were the mayor, I would make these issues a priority.