The Subaru Ironman Canada race certainly means a lot to the City of Penticton, but how much does the city of Penticton mean to Subaru Ironman Canada?

Quite a lot if you ask Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce president Jason Cox.

“I think that the idea of moving that race somewhere else is not as easy as might be speculated,” said Cox, responding to concerns that the company that runs Ironman might relocate the race if their recent request for additional money, services and space are not met.

“I think they understand the 26-year history of the race in this community. And I think they understand that the huge volunteer support they get in this community and the huge contribution the city already makes is valuable in its own right.”

With this year’s race finished, the city’s five-year agreement with Ironman to run the race in Penticton is up, requiring re-negotiation.

Ironman organizers would like to expand the scope of the race and have asked the city for additional space to store vehicles and containers; over 80 nights of hotel room usage; $100,000 in marketing fees; and the city to assume all the costs for traffic control at about $55,000 to $60,000 a year. Currently, the city provides $106,700 a year (mostly as in-kind services) to the race.

While the city continues negotiation with Ironman, city council, staff and organizations, such as the chamber, are currently looking for ways to make the race work in Penticton.

One suggestion is to take money from the city’s promotion and marketing budget (collected as a hotel tax) and spend it on Ironman instead. An action justified by the fact that an expanded Ironman would bring more exposure to Penticton, including a television segment on TSN and a new race website.

But Cox is not convinced city taxes should go to a private event like Ironman.

“Public subsidy of a private enterprise is not something that is very palatable,” explained Cox. “There are a lot of industries in this town that generate as much or more economic activity as the race.

“That being said, it can’t be denied that the race is a huge asset to the community. (The chamber) hopes that compromise can be found between Ironman and the city.

“Our door is certainly open to all people on all sides of the issue,” he added.