Council approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the ASAA 3A basketball provincials to be held at Olds High School this year.
Both the senior girls and boys basketball championships will be held in town from March 17 to 19. The school expects the event will attract 350 athletes and coaches plus parents and fans.
Chief operating officer Doug Wagstaff spoke briefly about how it will be the third straight weekend Olds will host a provincial sports championship tournament, preceded by the ACAC men's basketball and the midget A female hockey.
"Which is the kind of thing we've been striving for — to have community groups bring festivals and tournaments that will help fill our hotels, restaurants and just bring some activity to our community," he said.
"There has been the precedent set that we've encouraged our youth and minor sports to attract these things."
The budget submitted to council projects a $3,298 loss with major expenses including the players' banquet, programs, gift bags for athletes, banners, and officials.
The banquet just about pays for itself through fees. Other revenues include ticket and program sales and local sponsorship.
It's the ASAA's policy to keep expenses for attending teams low and thus the host school assumes most of the costs, read a letter to council.
Games will take place at the Ralph Klein Centre gymnasium as well as Frank Grisdale Hall, said Tom Christensen.
"It's going to be great ball. We've never hosted provincials here before. We've got the best facility in the province, a great place to watch basketball. And being a girls and boys event, it's going to be fantastic."
"Which is the kind of thing we've been striving for — to have community groups bring festivals and tournaments that will help fill our hotels, restaurants and just bring some activity to our community." DOUG WAGSTAFF, chief operating officer
