Council spends $21,000 on athletics event

Gosford Council has resolved to provide more than $21,000 in sponsorship and waived fees to cover costs of an athletic event organised by a breakfast cereal manufacturer.

The triathlon event for children will be held at the Peninsula Leisure Centre and James Browne Oval on January 22.

Council has resolved to waive event hire fees for the Peninsula Leisure Centre and James Browne Oval costs totalling $5538.40.

It also resolved to contribute sponsorship of $15,920 to the event by covering all operational costs associated with the event through its City Services Operational budget.

It will continue to support the event through waiving associated event hire fees and provide sponsorship for operational costs for a further five years.

The inaugural Sanitarium Weetbix Kids TRYathlon was held last year and, as the second stage of a nine event national series, the Peninsula event was anticipated to attract around 500 to 550 participants.

Registrations were received from 686 participants with each participant bringing along, on average, four support members.

Council supported last year's event through the provision of operational in kind support of $4350 and waiving associated fees totalling $7167.

Sanitarium confirmed that it would like to continue the Woy Woy stage of the series and is committed to continuing at this site for at least a total of a five year term.

The Peninsula event has been elevated in prominence to be the first event of the series.

Registration for participants has commenced and will continue until January 9.

Event organisers have estimated for the 2012 event to attract 900 participants due to increased capability due to reviewed course plans and festival site layouts.

Gosford Council Agenda CIT.29, 22 Nov 2011