The City of Terrace will be donating space for a major mining conference coming here in April 2013.
The Minerals North 2013 Conference will be hosted in partnership with Terrace’s Economic Development Authority and the city April 24 – 26.
City council voted Nov. 13 in favour of waiving a $6,000 rental fee for use of the Sportsplex for the event.
“When a group block books all of the facilities for multiple days, like the trade show or this Mineral North committee, a discounted rate applies,” said Carmen Didier, the city’s leisure services director, adding that rental fee doesn’t include staffing, setup and other expenses.
Such expenses will be covered by the conference, money for which comes from sponsorships and trade show fees.
“The spinoff is pretty outstanding,” said event sponsorship coordinator Carol Leclerc about the estimated 600 people that will be coming to town for Minerals North 2013 in April.
She noted that accommodations have already been foreseen as an issue. Rooms in private residences are being looked into for visitors and Ferry Island camping will be open.
The Minerals North Conference is an annual occurrence in northern B.C. aimed at bringing those interested in the mining and exploration industry together to share information with communities and each other.
The conference was hosted in Burns Lake this year and Terrace last held it here in 2007.
Minerals North has hired the city’s economic development arm as its event planners, with the Terrace Economic Development Authority set to receive $25,000 for its part, said TEDA economic development officer Evan van Dyk.