Tourism Burnaby is joining forces with Fortius Sport & Health to attract sports events to the city.
The two organizations plan to announce they are forming a long-term partnership to bring events to the region at a press conference today, according to a press release obtained by the Burnaby NOW.
"We're here to not only announce a comprehensive new partnership between Tourism Burnaby and Fortius Sport & Health, but to showcase the people, organizations and facilities that are making sport happen in a big way here in Burnaby," Matthew Coyne, executive director of Tourism Burnaby, said in the release.
They are also partnering to support events already planned for the city, such as the Wickenheiser International Women's Hockey Festival, also known as WickFest, which is taking place this weekend in Burnaby.
Another upcoming event Tourism Burnaby and Fortius are supporting is the 2013 Esso Cup Canadian national midget hockey championships, which is being held in Burnaby next April.
The two organizations are creating a "co-branded sport hosting initiative" to promote Greater Vancouver, and Burnaby in particular, as locations for future events, according to the release.
They also plan to support local sports groups in bids to host events and build on Tourism Burnaby's Bid Burnaby Program and Hosting Grant Program.
"It's really about how teaming up on a shared vision for bringing tournaments, training camps, exhibitions, conferences, festivals and other special events to this part of the country, blessed as it is with natural qualities and attributes that are simply unrivalled," Scott Cousens, founder of the centre and chair of the Fortius Foundation, said in the release.
Fortius Sport & Health is comprised of the Fortius Athlete Development Centre and Fortius Institute for sports science and medicine.
The $61-million complex at Kensington Avenue and Joe Sakic Way is scheduled to open next spring.
