A move to host the BC Summer Games in 2016 has been shot down by city council.
In a tight 5-4 vote, which was delayed 24 hours to Wednesday evening to allow full council representation, councillors followed a city staff recommendation to knock back the opportunity to bring the games to Richmond.
In their report, staff indicated the event would cost the city $367,000 to put on and would provide little in the way of revenue.
They also said the BC Summer Games was not the "right fit" for Richmond in its overall sports hosting strategy.
However, the bid was strongly supported by both Richmond Sports Council and the Richmond School Board, which was willing to offer up its facilities free of charge for the event.
And Coun. Bill McNulty, a founder member of the sports council and a vociferous advocate for community sport, branded the decision a disgrace.
"If this isn't the right fit for the Richmond community, then I don't know what is," he said.
"(The staff) talk about the costs, but every BC Summer Games has made a profit, why would Richmond be any different.
"We've hosted the Olympics and the Seniors Games, I'm pretty sure we could have handled this."
McNulty said the games are a classic "grassroots sporting event" that offers all kinds of "amazing opportunities" for young athletes to get a start in their sport.
"This is a massive opportunity missed for these youngsters to showcase their talents in their own community," he said.
