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Kelowna has been chosen to host the 2026 BC Summer Games.
Over 2,800 athletes will be in Kelowna to compete in 18 sports July 23-26.
The competitors range in age from 9-19 depending on the sport.
The average age is 14.
The official announcement came at the Parkinson Activity Centre Wednesday morning.
"With five Kelowna athletes competition at the Olympics right now, we understand the value of these events to growing athletes," said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. "These games give the best emerging athletes a chance to show their skills in serious competition and we are thrilled to be able to host."
The honour comes with a $625,000 grant from the BC Games Society to operate the event, topped-up by a City contribution of $110,000.
The economic benefit to the city has been estimated at between $1.5 to $2 million.
The competition was last held in Kelowna in 2008, having previously hosted in 1980 and 1994, and most recently welcomed athletes to the 2019 55+ BC Games.
An expected 3,000 community volunteers will be involved in planning and staging the games.
"We are excited to see the BC Games return to Kelowna," said BC Games Society President Alison Goble, "a community with an impressive sport hosting resume and passionate volunteers."
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