Galway port for 2012 Volvo Ocean Race?

dilallio

According to today's Galway Indepndent, Galway's 2012 VOR bid is under threat because the Government won't commit to funding €8 Million Euro.

Source

How much money are the Government commiting to Jackie Healy Rae's 42 bed hospital in Kenmare when they already have a hospital in Tralee.

I only wish our local politicians were as influential. The VOR will bring in far more money to Galway than what is costs to host the event.

PopeBuckfastXVI

dilallio wrote: »

I only wish our local politicians were as influential. The VOR will bring in far more money to Galway than what is costs to host the event.

I wish our government made decisions in the national interest, not in the interest of fulfilling the ransom demands of selfish and insular 'local' independents.

snubbleste

Shure if it is all good, then every citizen in the town will not mind propping up €100 to attract the event..

TobyZiegler

According to Lets Do It Galway the last years Volvo Ocean race raised the following:

€55.8m economic impact on Galway and Ireland

€36.5m of spending by race spectators from outside the local region

650,000 visits to Race Village and Salthill

TV audience globally of 1.327 billion and Radio listenership of 234 million

99% of international visitors would recommend Galway as a holiday destination


Seems like a no brainer to spend €8million on what is an amazing event to attract to our country.

dilallio

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

I wish our government made decisions in the national interest, not in the interest of fulfilling the ransom demands of selfish and insular 'local' independents.

I agree with you fully on this. But unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen any day soon. The majority of politicians will continue to put local and sometimes personal interests ahead of the national interest, as long as we continue to vote them in and demand them to fulfill our 'local' needs. This will never change.

In an ideal world, Minister Cullen would be absolutely right to place the onus on Bord Failte to work within existing budgets.

But we're not living in an ideal world. Unfortunately, we are competing against other projects for a small pot of money, and in this imperfect world, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask our local politicians to step up and use whatever influence they have to get the funding for this project.

As Tip O'Neill once said "All politics is local"

s_carnage

snubbleste wrote: »

Shure if it is all good, then every citizen in the town will not mind propping up €100 to attract the event..

Why?? Ridiculous argument!!

Should every event in the country be paid for by the local people? Would that mean then that any earnings from the event would be shared by the locals?!?! :rolleyes:

Predalien

I really don't see how the government could be expected to provide the money for event in the current climate, the figures boasting what these events are worth are always exaggerated and priorities have to lie elsewhere at the moment.

happyoutscan

Predalien wrote: »

I really don't see how the government could be expected to provide the money for event in the current climate, the figures boasting what these events are worth are always exaggerated and priorities have to lie elsewhere at the moment.

Yeah, and no doubt (ahem) this government will utilize these monies correctly.:rolleyes:

mink_man

sure theyd make more money than that back the fools

mikom

dilallio wrote: »

According to today's Galway Indepndent, Galway's 2012 VOR bid is under threat

Could have held it for free on the stretch of road just after Newells roofing in Carnmore before Christmas...

vulcan57

Predalien wrote: »

I really don't see how the government could be expected to provide the money for event in the current climate,

Ok, but in the last budget this government drastically cut everything it could get its hands on and it was the lesser well of that suffered the most. A couple of days after that budget the same government announces that it is giving 100 million euro to a fund to help the poorer countries of this world combat global warming. They are giving millions to Haiti after the earthquake. Before you all start saying that I am begrudging these payments and "down with me" and the like, I will point out that I believe that combating global warming is vital for this planet and those poor people that have suffered so much in Haiti deserve as much help as possible, and I have given myself. My point is that at the end of the day charity starts at home!!!! and a comparatively measly amount of 8 million euro would boost the economy of Galway and promote, not only Galway, but Ireland as a whole to a world wide audience.

lion_bar

s_carnage wrote: »

Why?? Ridiculous argument!!

Should every event in the country be paid for by the local people? Would that mean then that any earnings from the event would be shared by the locals?!?! :rolleyes:

I agree i'll chip in if i get a cut of the VAT on sales of ice cream, beer & hotel rooms.

TobyZiegler

Predalien wrote: »

I really don't see how the government could be expected to provide the money for event in the current climate, the figures boasting what these events are worth are always exaggerated and priorities have to lie elsewhere at the moment.

Even if the figures given are exaggerated I think every economist would agree that at the very very least it would be worth more than the €8million the government put in. Add this to the increase in profile for Galway and Ireland and it just has to be worth it in my eyes.

Predalien

vulcan57 wrote: »

Ok, but in the last budget this government drastically cut everything it could get its hands on and it was the lesser well of that suffered the most. A couple of days after that budget the same government announces that it is giving 100 million euro to a fund to help the poorer countries of this world combat global warming. They are giving millions to Haiti after the earthquake. Before you all start saying that I am begrudging these payments and "down with me" and the like, I will point out that I believe that combating global warming is vital for this planet and those poor people that have suffered so much in Haiti deserve as much help as possible, and I have given myself. My point is that at the end of the day charity starts at home!!!! and a comparatively measly amount of 8 million euro would boost the economy of Galway and promote, not only Galway, but Ireland as a whole to a world wide audience.

I really don't think the ocean race can be compared with a charity, of course Galway needs a boost economically but the government funding the bid at this time would be completely wrong, especially considering the cuts that have been made in far more serious areas. If the race brings that much business to the area then surely local businesses are the ones who should be sourcing the investment and funding, considering they'll be the main beneficiaries. I'd love to see the event and other events of a similar scale in Galway but if it is to happen I'd much rather see the money raised through local initatives and sponsorship.

TheCosmicFrog

The real problem is not hosting the event, the cost is in supporting the boat as an entry and the crew, both offshore and on. The boat itself can run into the millions(€).

JohnCleary

It would be handy if they could get the first batch of promised money from Failte Ireland before even thinking about trying to get anything in 2012. There are small companies out there still waiting to be paid for their services from lat summer.

Mr_A

It seems a no-brainer that this should be funded as the government should make the money back in increased economic activity.

On the other hand if it's worth that much to the businesses of the region maybe it would make sense for them get organized to step in and make it happen.

vulcan57

Mr_A wrote: »

It seems a no-brainer that this should be funded as the government should make the money back in increased economic activity.

On the other hand if it's worth that much to the businesses of the region maybe it would make sense for them get organized to step in and make it happen.

Totally agree that the businesses should do more as they are the ones that will profit in the long run. Problem is, as far as I can see, that the other 2 contenders for this stop over have the backing of their governments and that is going to go a long way in the decision making.

galwayrush

It's a no brainer as said above, the VAT return on the spending alone would make a massive profit for the Government input, aw well, wonder if the money would be under threat if it was in Dublin.:rolleyes:

biko

Yeah, the Dublin government might not be as eager to part with money for events over here.

joeKel73

TobyZiegler wrote: »

€55.8m economic impact on Galway and Ireland

€36.5m of spending by race spectators from outside the local region

And where did all that money go? To the pubs, hotels and shops. So surely it is in their interest to get together and invest in this if they're going to get more money back in return...

Greaney

On the other hand if it's worth that much to the businesses of the region maybe it would make sense for them get organized to step in and make it happen.[/QUOTE]

Actually local buisnesses did step up to make it happen in 2009. Some of them didn't get their money back during the event, knew they wouldn't, but were happy to see Galway put on the map and figured that it was worth it in the long term. They also said they did it because they love the town that supports their buisness (I'm thinking of one local buisness person who like many others coughed up hundreds- over €500 each I think) and they don't own a bar or hotel but a craft shop. They weren't in the volvo village (rent was too much) and hence didn't sell any more during the race.

Arnold Layne

Are we not forgetting that one of the main reasons why the Volvo Ocean Race was susccessful in Galway was due to the 2 weeks of fine weather that we had? What are the chances that the same will happen next time round?

biko

Global warming will sort that part out.
My knee tells me it'll be a scorcher of a summer.

galwayrush

foto joe wrote: »

And where did all that money go? To the pubs, hotels and shops. So surely it is in their interest to get together and invest in this if they're going to get more money back in return...

........and back to the Government through VAT and various taxes, :rolleyes:

Dunjohn

Declan Varley in the Advertiser said we should know by the time we read his editorial if the government is going to support this or not. Do we? Did anybody hear? Application deadline's tonight, he says, so the Cabinet was going to have a think today.

Sniipe

What time will a decision be made today?

dilallio

Not sure what time.

Found more info here regarding the dail discussion, although it says nothing new:

http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2010-01-20.805.0


Edit: The VOR has a Facebook Page - any news / decisions might be posted there:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Volvo-Ocean-Race/137241232436

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

This shouldn't even be an issue. As galwayrush said, if it was scheduled for Dublin I'd be inteested to see if there would be this much tossing around involved.

Last summer's stopover was a massive success, and really put the city on the map, being the most successful stopover of the entire race (when you take into account that Galway is only a fraction the size of most of the other cities that hosted a stopover). It will be a crying shame if we don't consolidate the great work from last summer.

combat5

Does anyone Know did they meet the deadline or is it a no go for galway and to ocean race

Shanley

http://www.galwaynews.ie/11024-government-commits-4-million-euro-galway-volvo-race-bid

Things seem to be looking a bit better for us! Not all the money but by the sounds of it enough to secure it!

FouxDaFaFa

Shanley wrote: »

http://www.galwaynews.ie/11024-government-commits-4-million-euro-galway-volvo-race-bid

Things seem to be looking a bit better for us! Not all the money but by the sounds of it enough to secure it!

Brilliant. Hopefully we'll get it now.

Arnold Layne

Shanley wrote: »

http://www.galwaynews.ie/11024-government-commits-4-million-euro-galway-volvo-race-bid

Things seem to be looking a bit better for us! Not all the money but by the sounds of it enough to secure it!

Sounds like Cullen is going to refrain from using the helicopter for a while:D

JohnCleary

Pitty they wouldn't advertise the Round Ireland Powerboat Race 2010 a little better, rather than harping on about something that 'might' happen in 2011. The 2010 event has potential to generate worthy revenue for our city (and country, with potential international interest), yet the only thing that our clown-college of a Government seem to be infatuated with is anything to do with the word VOLVO.

Sniipe

The route for the 2011-12 race is now set and the first port of call will be Cape Town, South Africa, making its eighth appearance as a host.

This marks the beginning of the port announcement process with the rest of the course due to be revealed before the end of March.

"We have received port bids from many different cities, each with their own cultures, specialities and challenges," said CEO Knut Frostad. "We have taken our time to evaluate carefully over 80 bids from ports around the world who wanted to host the event, before making our decisions.

...

The European ports of call for the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012, including the finish port will be the next to be announced and the entire route is set to be revealed before the end of March.

- link

buzz55

Its been announced that Lisbon will be one of the only 2 European ports to host the 2011/2012 Volvo Ocean Race.

Looks like its game over for Galway

Gutted.

biko

http://www.sailing.org/31885.php

After a fierce bidding process, Lisbon has been chosen as the first of the European ports for the Volvo Ocean Race, starting from Alicante in the autumn of 2011.
Lisbon, located in the west of Portugal, at the point where the river Tagus flows into the Atlantic Ocean, will be the finish of the transatlantic leg of the race during the summer of 2012.

It will be the first time that this historic Portuguese port has played a part in the world’s premier ocean race.

Interest in hosting the Volvo Ocean Race in Europe was received from 34 cities, 15 of which went through to the final phase of the bidding process. This clearly underlines the enormous interest the race generates and makes Europe by far the most competitive continent in the selection procedure.

“It is great to have such an iconic city included in our list of stopovers and Lisbon, especially, has wonderful sailing conditions, which will make for a very exciting in-port race,” said Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad. “Lisbon is a delightful city with much to offer the Volvo Ocean Race and this will be a stopover to look forward to after the rigours of the transatlantic leg,” he added.

“Portugal is a country of navigators that opened the world to new horizons and its capital, Lisbon, was the starting point for the fabulous saga of the Discoveries. A city with such grand nautical tradition had to be associated with the biggest transoceanic adventure of modern times and it is with utmost honour and pride that we are now a part of the Volvo Ocean Race’s global itinerary,” said António Costa, Mayor of the City of Lisbon.

The next European port will be announced on Wednesday 3 March.

Not likely it's Galway but fingers crossed...

buzz55

I thought it was Galway OR Lisbon OR Lorient, and with Lisbon getting it we are out of the game?

The 2nd European stop is the finish port, I dont think we were ever 'in' for that?

skelliser

thank you Fianna Fail for supporting this!!

biko

buzz55 wrote: »

The 2nd European stop is the finish port, I dont think we were ever 'in' for that?

Thanks for correcting that, goes to show how much I know about sailing...

skelliser

skelliser wrote: »

thank you Fianna Fail for supporting this!!

Not an FF fan but how is it their fault?

citycentre

From VOR press release:

“Whilst the route in not confirmed, I can say that the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will start and finish in Europe, should have two or three less stopovers compared to the current race, and the total time for the race should be about one month shorter.”

So Alicante to start, Lisbon for the end of the atlantic crossing and one more to finish... I suppose it's too much to hope that Galway could get the nod... Even though they did seem to be rather impressed by the reaction and reception last time around... Ah well, hopefully there will be other great maritime events to look forward to, including those lined up for later this year...

citycentre

From Telegraph.co.uk:

Volvo Ocean Race set for Lisbon stopover
Lisbon has been selected as a stopover for the next Volvo Ocean Race starting in 2011.

By Kate Laven
Published: 3:01PM GMT 01 Mar 2010

The Portuguese port will host the fleet at the end of its transatlantic leg, which is rumoured to start in Newport, Rhode Island and represents a brand new development for the race which has always previously stopped on the south coast of Britain or Ireland before the final legs in northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Organisers are releasing details of the 2011-2012 course in stages with the first leg from Alicante in Spain to Cape Town unveiled last week and another leg due to be announced on Wednesday. Representatives of Galway, which hosted a highly successful stopover during the last race, may still be in contention depending on how the next race is routed in northern Europe before finishing in Alicante.

jj72

So Lorient were announced today as the 2nd stop over....the final stop will be announced on the 9th as far as i know...fingers crossed but dont look good!

the keen edge

By the look of this article we're still in with a good shout!

http://www.galwayindependent.com/local-news/local-news/last-stop-galway/

galwayrush

Here's hoping.

Would be madness if they didn't give us a stop over, if it is so lifeless everywhere else

randylonghorn

Predalien wrote: »

I really don't see how the government could be expected to provide the money for event in the current climate, the figures boasting what these events are worth are always exaggerated and priorities have to lie elsewhere at the moment.

Aye, they would be much better pouring it with the rest of the billions into the bankers' black holes, rather than providing some seed funding for an event which provides much needed economic stimulus for the region (not to mention the fact that they would be very likely to get their money back and probably more though VAT receipts etc.)

Magnus wrote: »

Global warming will sort that part out.
My knee tells me it'll be a scorcher of a summer.

It better be, otherwise your knee gets it!!

Hennybug

Don't think we're going to get another one, i think what's now being proposed is since we're twinned with L'Orient anyway to have some sort of race or brief stopover 2/3 days as part of that leg

alibabba

Front page of the advertiser this morning

www.advertiser.ie

TobyZiegler

To get the last stop would be BRILLIANT!