BC Athletics has announced that the City of Prince George will be hosting the 2021 BC Track and Field Championship Jamboree at Masich Place Stadium.
“On behalf of city council, I’m delighted that Masich Place Stadium will be holding the first track and field provincial championship since we started the renovation of Masich Place Stadium,” said Mayor Lyn Hall, in a news release. “Congratulations to the PG Track and Field Club for successfully bidding on this event, which will bring hundreds of athletes and their families to Prince George next summer. We can’t wait to showcase our terrific ‘new’ stadium and the hospitality of the people of Prince George.”
Masich Place Stadium was recently upgraded to accommodate more local sports teams over a longer playing season and host provincial and national competitions. It also features an improved track that is available for public use.
“The Prince George Track and Field Club is extremely excited about hosting the 2021 BC Athletics Track & Field Championship Jamboree,” said Elena Thomas, President of the Prince George Track & Field Club. “With the renovations at Masich Place Stadium, we are looking forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, officials, and fans of the sport from around the province to come and compete at our incredible facility. We are also eager to welcome people from the community who wish to volunteer with our club, to help with the provincial jamboree in 2021 as well as the BC Summer Games in 2022. We will be hosting clinics for volunteer officials starting this spring, so please join us.”
Some of Masich Place Stadium’s new or renovated features include a re-surfaced rubber eight-lane track, a synthetic infield turf with a built-in shock pad, and revamped jumps and throwing areas.
Work is also currently underway to refurbish Masich Place Stadium even further by upgrading amenities including the field lighting and irrigation, replacing the score clock and PA system, enhancing washrooms, and improving the bleachers and other site furnishings. This work is currently underway at the stadium.
“Using the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance’s Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM), our preliminary calculations estimate that the BC Athletics Track & Field Championships Jamboree will bring $500,000 of economic impact to Prince George,” said Tracey McBride, CEO of Tourism Prince George. “To maximize the impact to regional tourism, we will encourage athletes and their families to extend their time here, especially as the Jamboree will take place in the summer. Tourists and visitors create great memories here in the north, and many return for future holidays, start a business here, or end up relocating. We’re excited to showcase what northern BC has to offer.”