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March 19, 2014 - 2:16 PM
PENTICTON -- Challenge Penticton will no longer be directed by the Penticton Triathalon Race Society but by a private organizer, so long as they fit the job qualifications.
The Penticton Triathlon Race Society built the Challenge brand up from scratch in this community but the volunteer board members can no longer provide the manpower necessary to steer the race in the direction it's going.
Things are looking positive, however, with much higher registration numbers than last year.
The society has taken out a line of credit with the city who loaned them money to put on last years’ event, which lost $300,000. But Mayor Garry Litke said this was expected for the first year of a new business model. The city and society expects to make more money this year, and are already seeing positive reinforcement on that end.
The annual triathlon, previously operated by Ironman, is part of Penticton’s identity and the city is looking for a community minded person or entity to take over the race managerial responsibilities. The society will finish their responsibilities for this year’s race, and the new organizer will begin planning for 2015.
The city received an operating license from the original Challenge organization in Roth, Germany. New license agreements will have to be made once a new organizer is chosen by city council.
This August will be the second year of the Challenge Penticton triathlon. The organization was hired after Ironman discontinued its contract when it expired in 2012.
Recommendations and applications need to be submitted to city council by the end of April, so a new organizer can be chosen in time to begin preparation for their first managing year in 2015.
To contact the reporter for this story, e-mail Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-488-3065.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014