(Report dated June 11, 1998, addressed to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, from theCity Clerk)

Subject:Ontario Volleyball Association, World Pro-Beach Volley Ball Event - Special Event Grant

Recommendation:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on June 11, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the attached report (June 8, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, respecting a Special Event Grant for the Ontario Volleyball Association World Pro-Beach Volley Ball Event.

(Report dated June 8, 1998, addressed to the Municipal Grants Review Committee from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism)

Purpose:

This report responds to the request by the Ontario Volleyball Association for a special event grant from the City of Toronto. Funds would be used to offset event expenses incurred in hosting the World Pro-Beach Volleyball Tournament at Woodbine Beach Park and Ashbridges Bay Park from June 17 to 21, 1998.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that the Ontario Volleyball Association receive financial support from the City of Toronto; and that an appropriate level of funding given the constraints on the Contingency Fund would be $10,000.00. This recommendation is subject to the approval of the Use of Contingency Fund Report currently before the Municipal Grants Review Committee.

Council Reference/Background/History:

A request for support for the World ProVolleyball Event was received by the Mayor's Office and forwarded to the Toronto Park's and Recreation Department. The Department had provided limited support for the event in 1997. A Recreation Grant application was requested in April but the deadline of March 2, 1998, had passed. This request was forwarded to the Municipal Grants Review Committee. A staff report was requested on this special event grant from the Ontario Volleyball Association. All accompanying correspondence is attached as Appendix A.

Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:

The Ontario Volleyball Association is working with Volleyball Canada and the Federation Internationale de Volleyball to host this international World Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament at Toronto's Woodbine Beach Park and Ashbridges Bay Park. This event builds on the very successful Labatt Blue Pro Beach Tour event which took place in the same location on June 19 - 22, 1997. This year's event is an international stop which is part of the World circuit leading up to the Olympics. This sport will become an Olympic qualifying event in 1999 and 2000 leading up to the Sydney Olympics, and presents a good opportunity to begin to market Toronto to the world.

The budget for this event is over $1,000,000.00 and is funded almost entirely by corporate support. There are no admission fees but the event is expected to bring in a substantial amount of revenue to the area. The event will be covered by C.B.C. and televised in over 100 countries.

The World Pro Beach Volleyball Event provides an excellent opportunity to profile the City and its support for World Class events to a worldwide audience.

Conclusion:

The World Pro-Beach Volleyball Event is beneficial to the City and the local community and is worthy of support.

Contact name:

Cathi Forbes:

Tel: 395-6192

(A copy of the Appendix A referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of Council with the Supplementary Agenda of the Municipal Grants Review Committee for its meeting on June 11, 1998, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)