Few corporate backers confirmed for Corner Brook Special Olympics
Only one major corporate sponsor is confirmed for the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, to be hosted in Corner Brook next year, but the chair of the organizing committee is confident more businesses will come forward.
"There's no question the Games are going to go ahead," said Len Moores, who is also a volunteer with Special Olympics Canada.
"It's like any business or activity you do, you match your activity to the funding you have available."
The more sponsors, Moores said, the greater the experience will be for athletes and their families.
At this point in time, we probably have around 60 per cent of the funds we need committed ...- Len Moores, chair of the Games organizing committee
"Right now, we're in discussions with Coleman's on their level of sponsorship, and some preliminary discussion with a couple of others that, when they get further along, we'll be able to make some announcements."
The Games
During the first week of March, 670 athletes, 208 coaches and more than 75 staff are expected to descend on the city to compete in seven different sports.
Work is already underway for the winter event, said Moores in an interview with CBC's Corner Brook Morning Show.
"At this point in time, we probably have around 60 per cent of the funds we need committed, and we're looking for that other 40 per cent as we work," said Moores.
With a budget of about $2 million, he said funds are primarily raised through sponsorships.
The city has a long-standing history of supporting events such as this, and Moores hopes the local business community will start showing interest as the date gets closer.
"Some of our major businesses in Corner Brook, last winter, we did drop off our sponsorship programs to them and we'll be following up with them now in the fall to see what sort of support they're able to provide," said Moores.
More support
Moores said the group is in negotiations with a number of businesses, but could not yet reveal specifics.
Special Olympics Canada has put forward $550,000 for the event while the provincial government has donated $500,000.
Meanwhile, the city of Corner Brook has committed to support the Games to the tune of $100,000.