Touchdown Kelowna just received another boost.
The provincial government will be providing $1 million to support expanded access to the Apple Bowl Stadium in Kelowna, securing more seats for BC Lions fans.
“This is to support expanded seating and enhancements at the Apple Bowl so more people can attend and get the full experience, and be so excited about the BC Lions being here in Kelowna,” said Anne Kang, B.C.’s Minister of Tourism, who was in Kelowna on Thursday, March 26 to announce the funding.
With the funding announcement, the City of Kelowna announced 10 days of festivities to happen alongside the Lions’ two games.
Festivities will take place from June 26 to July 4, and will follow the celebrations that happen in host cities of the Grey Cup, according to BC Lions President Dwayne Vienneau.
“Several events are set to take place as part of Fan Fest, which includes football clinics, camps and seminars for coaches and athletes… there’s a golf tournament involved, there’s a number of concerts,” said Doug Nicholas, Sport and Event Services Manager for the City of Kelowna.
Some of the Fan Fest events highlighted by Nicholas included:
- June 26, Alan Doyle will perform a concert at Waterfront Park;
- June 28, breakfast with the BC Lions on Bernard at 9 a.m. at the 300-block of Bernard Ave.;
- June 29, an over-19-years-old ticketed party at Waterfront Park from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.;
- July 3, The Road Hammers will perform at the Waterfront stage;
- July 4, a fan march to Applebowl stadium beginning at Lombardy Park going through Clement and the Rail Trail for the Lions’ game against the Edmonton Elks.
Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas said the city wanted to make the BC Lions matches a special event for the Okanagan.
“When we first started discussions with the BC Lions about bringing these games to Kelowna, we knew that it had to be a signature event. We wanted to create a celebration for our community, one that showcases the very best of Kelowna,” he said.
The B.C. government expects that around 35,000 people are expected to attend the two Kelowna games, with more expected to join in the fan festivities.
The games are also estimated to generate $60 million in economic impact.
“Events like this are such an important part of B.C.’s economy, they are the key drivers to B.C.’s Look West Tourism Sector Action Plan, a road map to doubling visitor spending to $48 billion by 2036,” Kang said.
“Events fill hotel rooms and restaurants. They support local businesses, they bring in first-time visitors and then they bring repeat visitors because we know that when people visit places as special as the Okanagan and the City of Kelowna, they come back again and again.”
The premier sponsor of the Touchdown Kelowna event, Telus, announced the company will be planting 20,000 trees across Kelowna.
The BC Lions will play in Kelowna on June 27 and July 4 against the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Elks respectively.