The Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) has nominated Richmond's Sport Hosting program for its Sport Tourism Organization of the Year Award.
The 2013 Canadian Judo National Championships, held at the Richmond Oval, helped secure the nomination, and is up for an award itself for Canadian Sport Event of the Year.
Bolstering Richmond's bid for award-winning host are other high profile events such as the 2014 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championship, 2014 World Grand Prix Fencing Championship and 2014 Pan Am Taekwondo Championship - all held at the Richmond Oval.
Despite helping the city secure the nomination, not everyone is happy with council's focus on the former Olympic venue.
While the oval continues to attract national and international events, Jim Lamond, chair of the Richmond Sports Council, believes community sports are taking a backseat to large-scale events at the oval.
"It would seem as though all the efforts are going towards justifying the oval's existence," said Lamond Mike Ramos, manager of Richmond Sports Hosting until January 2014, disagrees, adding that more than $100,000 is budgeted annually to support more than 40 community-based sports organizations and events.
"The oval is an amazing facility," said Ramos, and its ability to be reconfigured to accommodate different events adds to its appeal, bringing a significant economic boost to the city.
"Last year alone we were able to book 23,000 hotel stays." Ramos also credits Lamond's work with the Sports Council, and its access to more than 1,500 volunteers, as a major factor in attracting events.
Calgary and Welland, Ont. are the other two nominees up for the annual award to be presented April 2 in Edmonton.
