Delta’s cost to host a pair of its marquee annual events shot up significantly this year.
A civic report on the resources required for the Tour de Delta and Boundary Bay Airshow found the city paid an additional quarter-million dollars to host the events in 2019 compared to a year earlier.
Delta’s cost to host the Tour de Delta, a three-day professional cycling competition in early July, was $312,900, up from $201,900 last year. Revenue fell from $212,000 to $161,000 and costs increased from $413,900 to $474,500. Sponsorship took a big hit, falling by almost $49,000 to sit at only $85,500 this year.
Meanwhile, the cost to host the Boundary Bay Airshow, a one-day free show in late July at the Boundary Bay Airport in East Ladner, shot up even more, almost $143,000 over 2018, for a total cost this year of $235,900.
Revenue from that event increased by $42,200 to $111,400, however staff and supply costs also increased by over $185,000 for a total cost of $347,300.
The report notes the airshow, a partnership between Alpha Aviation and Delta that has both making significant financial contributions to ensure it remains free, was considerably more complex in 2019 with the addition of the Snowbirds and other high caliber acts.
The increase in spectators along with decreased on-site parking required staff to develop a parking strategy, accompanying traffic management plan and a more robust risk management plan, the report explains.
The report also notes the higher costs for the Tour de Delta were due to policing, attributed to an increase in traffic management costs, as well as rental of better sound equipment and buying media coverage in advance of the event.
The cost for next year’s airshow will depend on the caliber of performers, the report notes, adding that costs for traffic and parking management will continue to be as high as 2019 levels as on-site parking has decreased with development of airport lands.
The costs for the Tour de Delta is not expected to change significantly for 2020, although the amount of sponsorship and grants could impact the bottom line, according to the report.
Coun. Alicia Guichon, vice-chair of Delta’s parks, recreation and culture commission, said the report was recently received by the commission for information. The report has yet to go to Delta council.
