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2009 News and Information
Richmond Children, Families Have Chance to See Games Through City’s Ticket Allocation Program
28 October 2009More than 400 Richmond residents will be attending sport or ceremony events of the 2010 Winter Games thanks to the City’s 2010 legacy program that redistributes tickets purchased by the City to local community organizations and schools.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to our residents, in particular to those who would otherwise never be able to afford a ticket to an Olympic Games,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Seeing the world’s best athletes compete in an Olympic event, or sharing the joy of the medal winners at the Victory Celebration will become cherished memories for the recipients, and we are delighted to be able to facilitate this for our residents.”
The majority of the tickets purchased by the City through the IOC Olympic Family allotment are being redistributed throughout the community. The program offers 75 event tickets for free to persons in financial hardship, identified and administered through three local charitable organizations—the Working Poor Fund, the Salvation Army and the Christmas Fund. These in turn assist most of the non profits in Richmond providing services to persons with limited financial means. Tickets include public transit to the events.
A further 200 tickets will be available to eligible community service, sport and recreation and art organizations, which can then use the tickets to recognize volunteers, build membership or as a fundraising tool. Event tickets can be purchased at face value, while Victory Celebration tickets are free.
The parent associations of each primary and secondary school in Richmond, as well as private schools following the BC curriculum will also be offered two tickets each for purchase, which can be used to recognize exemplary students or volunteers, or as a fundraiser. Ticket allocations cover teacher chaperones for the primary school students at no additional cost.
Other tickets are offered to local businesses through the Richmond Chamber of Commerce to assist in business development, and to Tourism Richmond for marketing and contests promoting the city. Two tickets will be given away each day to a lucky contest winner at the city’s celebration site, the Richmond O Zone. The remaining 178 tickets have been put aside to fulfil protocol and hosting responsibilities.
In addition to the ticket purchase, the City has access to the legacy lounge at the Richmond Olympic Oval, which will primarily be used for hosting dignitaries.
“Council’s goal is to ensure the Games leave significant legacies for Richmond,” Mayor Brodie said. “Fostering volunteerism, building community pride and spirit and creating lasting memories for our residents are important. With the ticket purchase program, the O Zone, the torch relay celebration, our participation in Paint the Town Red and more, the city is creating numerous avenues for all residents to experience the Olympic Games in their home town.”
More information, the criteria for applying and the application forms can be found on the city website at www.richmond.ca. The city expects to recoup $116,000 from resales, to offset the total purchase cost of $196,990.
