Mountain View County council approved a contribution of up to $15,000 toward hosting the Tour of Alberta with the Town of Olds this summer.
By a 4-2 vote, council made its decision at the April 13 meeting. Reeve Bruce Beattie and Division 3 councillor Duncan Milne were the two opposed.
Beattie and Milne were concerned about the long list of amenities both the county and town would have to provide in addition to their share of the fee, including police services, public works, first aid, portable toilets, waste management, permitting services and more.
"I wasn't convinced that the maximum of $15,000 was going to be the end of the story for the request. I felt we needed more information, more clear indication of what the total cost was going to be," Beattie said.
The reeve said he respects council's decision, however, and hopes the event goes well.
Mountain View County – Olds would be the finish point for Stage 2 of the race on Sept. 2.
Olds approved its contribution, between $10,000 to $15,000, on April 11.
Two other partners have been asked to contribute $10,000 each: the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development and Olds College.
The total fee for the rights to a stage finish is $150,000. Olds council was told by administration that the partners would only be responsible for their share of the total fee and Tour of Alberta would cover the balance.
Partners would also need to assemble a local organizing committee responsible for recruiting and organizing volunteers.
About 120 elite cyclists compete in the Tour of Alberta, now in its fourth year. Organizers say benefits for host sites typically include the influx of spectators, hotel rooms that are booked and the exposure that comes with the broadcast of the race.
"It was pointed out by councillor (Ken) Heck that we do try to promote our area. It's a beautiful and scenic area as well as open for tourism. A lot of our push in our economic development strategy is to promote tourism in our area so this is an opportunity to be part of that process," Beattie said.
"I'm hoping if this event does take place, we'll be able to take advantage of it primarily from that tourism and economic development perspective."
Coun. Al Kemmere did not attend the April 13 council meeting.
"I'm hoping if this event does take place, we'll be able to take advantage of it primarily from that tourism and economic development perspective." Bruce BeattieMVC Reeve
