July's Subaru Ironman Canada might be the last one in Whistler.
The agenda for the City of Penticton's May 7 committee of the whole meeting lists Ironman's Dave Christen as a delegation set to present on bringing the race back to the Okanagan city.
The agenda for the May 7 council meeting includes a recommendation that council direct staff to negotiate a five-year agreement to host the race annually on the last weekend in August beginning in 2020. Per the agenda, hosting the race would require a $410,000 annual commitment, with $299,000 in cash and $111,000 in kind.
If the race does move, it would be a year earlier than expected, as in 2017, the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW), Tourism Whistler and Ironman signed a three-year extension to host the event here until 2020.
"City staff have been in discussions with IRONMAN over the past few months regarding the potential return of the full distance race to Penticton in 2020," City of Penticton director of recreation and facilities Bregje Kozak wrote in her report to council. "Previously bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), City staff were tight lipped about their meetings with IRONMAN and were unable to provide information or updates to residents or the media until now.
"Staff proceeded with their due diligence including two face-to-face meetings with an IRONMAN representative in Penticton, and explored the total cash and in-kind commitments that would be required to bring IRONMAN back to Penticton."
Penticton previously hosted the triathlon from 1983 until 2012.
No Ironman representatives, including Subaru Ironman Canada race director Christine Cogger, senior regional director Keats McGonigal or Christen were available for comment. An RMOW spokesperson reiterated via email that the contract "spans 2018 (to) 2020" and that the race's future in Whistler has not been decided.
"Details beyond 2020 have not been confirmed, and discussions are underway," the spokesperson wrote before referring further questions to Ironman.
Check back with Pique for more.
