PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – Organizers of the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Port Alberni, B.C. have announced a legacy of $250,000 for the event, which was held to at the Alberni Valley Multiplex, as well as five partner venues across Vancouver Island.

The legacy funding will be divided up between the Alberni Valley and the five partner venues – Campbell River, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo and Parksville – along with BC Hockey, the host branch.

Ron Paulson, chair of the host committee, says a number of factors, including high ticket sales, support of the business community, grants from Island Coastal Economic Trust and 2010 Legacies Now and financial responsibility of the Port Alberni board of directors in operating within their projected budgets, contributed to the financial success of the event.

"The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge was an unparalleled success that will leave a legacy, both human and financial for community events for the foreseeable future,” said Paulson. “It was a terrific opportunity to showcase Vancouver Island to the world.”

“We had confidence in our host organizing committee in Port Alberni, but their hard work and dedication exceeded our expectations,” said Rick Boekestyn, president of BC Hockey. “Their efforts have translated into a fantastically successful event and will provide a meaningful legacy for hockey in B.C.”

The host committee also shared information about an economic impact study that was conducted during the event. STEAM (Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model) is a cutting-edge, economic impact assessment tool that predicts and measures the economic impact of a sport event on a community in Canada. The STEAM report concluded that the combined spending of operations and visitors to the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge totalled close to $3 million in economic activity for the Alberni Valley and the province of British Columbia.

“The 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge is an important event for our Program of Excellence, and we are excited that a legacy will be left for future players on Vancouver Island,” said Scott Smith, Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer. “It is my pleasure to congratulate the city, the province, the host committee, the hundreds of volunteers and the thousands of fans that made this possible.”