New Westminster city councillors are raising concerns over the mayor’s plan to allocate funds for FIFA World Cup-related activities in Vancouver next year.
Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas believe that investing over $300,000 in these ‘activations’ at this time is ill-timed given the financial strain on residents. Fontaine pointed out the recent property tax hikes, capital tax levy, and electricity bill increases in the city, emphasizing the need to prioritize essential infrastructure projects.
Fontaine highlighted the shortage of turf fields in New Westminster, noting that investing in such facilities would have a lasting impact on the community, benefiting sports teams and residents alike.
While the councillors acknowledge the potential benefits of hosting World Cup events, they suggest seeking sponsorships to offset some of the costs, similar to successful partnerships for previous local events like the Canucks on Columbia playoffs gatherings.
However, due to FIFA’s sponsorship regulations, private sponsors cannot contribute to events associated with the World Cup, leaving taxpayers responsible for the entire expense. Fontaine and Minhas stress the importance of addressing residents’ needs first before committing significant funds to World Cup activities.
The proposed activations for the World Cup events include public viewing events, inflatable screens, and foosball tables.