How much do VIP seats cost taxpayers? City won’t say
Vancouver civic politicians and senior staff are occupying some of the best seats at B.C. Place Stadium for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but city hall says it won’t release details about the perk until after the July 5 final.
Mayor Gregor Robertson is a regular in the exclusive 64-seat FIFA members’ section. He wore a red Canada jersey to watch the win over Switzerland June 21 beside his girlfriend, Wanting Qu.
His guests at previous matches included Deputy Mayor Andrea Reimer, ex-aide Lara Honrado and a woman who appeared identical to his mother Corneil, with whom he campaigned last fall.
Vision councillor Heather Deal and NPA councillor Melissa De Genova have been spotted in the adjacent VIP seating, near park board general manager Malcolm Bromley and transportation director Jerry Dobrovolny.
The mayor’s office wouldn’t comment when asked about the city’s ticketing arrangements and costs.
“As has been the case with similar large events hosted in Vancouver in the past, we are expecting a full public report back to council on the policies that you are inquiring about very soon after the conclusion of the tournament,” said spokesman Braeden Caley.
City taxpayers are funding the $1.2-million FIFA Fan Zone and also are paying $250,000 for tournament operations.
Green councillor Adriane Carr said she has used a pair of VIP tickets to four matches and looks forward to Saturday’s Canada-versus-England quarter-final. Carr attended June 21 with husband Paul George and said the tickets include access to the deluxe, catered hospitality tent on B.C. Place’s south plaza.
VIP tickets are advertised at the B.C. Place box office starting at $275.
NPA councillor George Affleck said he is also going to the quarter-final. He said tickets are offered to councillors for matches on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is part of the job to represent the city at events, he said, but there is no reason for city hall to delay releasing information.
“It’s just how they operate,” Affleck said. “It’s a knee-jerk reaction of Vision Vancouver to be opaque.”
Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, and Prince George MLA Mike Morris represented the provincial government on June 21, and sat in the same row as Robertson. They were guests of the national organizing committee, said government caucus spokesman Ben James.
Meanwhile, Premier Christy Clark hosted “coaches, volunteers and kids from around the province” in the B.C. Place Suite, according to Ryan Jabs of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the ministry responsible for B.C. Place. “There were no hospitality costs (food and drink) associated with the box,” Jabs said.