Kelowna’s hosting of two CFL regular season games will be aided by a $1 million provincial grant.
The money will be used to temporarily boost the capacity of the Apple Bowl to almost 18,000 spectators, improve some stadium amenities, and help pay for a 10-day fan festival with events open to everyone.
“By supporting Touchdown Kelowna, we are helping to strengthen the local economy, support local businesses, and create good-paying jobs, helping build a strong, independent economy for British Columbians and their families,” Tourism Minister Anne Kang said in a release.
Estimates put the economic benefit of Touchdown Kelowna, which will see the BC Lions play games against the Calgary Stampeders (June 27) and the Edmonton Elks (July 4), at $60 million.
The Lions have to temporarily vacate BC Place because the stadium is being used for seven World Cup soccer games in June.
“Touchdown Kelowna will be an incredible week for our community. Featuring two BC Lions games surrounded by a week-long festival, this event will energize our city and bring fans from across the country,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas.
Precise funding details on other aspects of the city’s hosting of the two Lions games have not yet been released.
In late February, on the first day tickets for the games were available for purchase by the general public, the Lions said 90 per cent of the grandstand seats for the game against the Stamps were sold, and 75 per cent of such tickets for sold the game agains the Elks.