So, we have about 98 days to go until the Winter Olympics kick off.

A report released by Price Waterhouse Coopers yesterday says the games have injected $1 billion into the provincial economy. All that construction and spending has boosted the economy since 2003 and there will be more to come when visitors actually arrive and images of the province and its premiere city are broadcast around the world.

As always whenever there is a mega-project, critics can barely contain their vitriol as they vent against the government spending. Poverty advocates (as opposed to people who are poor) have already tainted the valid points that need to be made by their irrational and criminal behavior. Debate is subservient to grandstanding pranks and disruptive behavior. How that’s expected to generate greater funding for programs for the poor, is anybody’s guess. Still, the games are coming and nothing is going to stop them now. Campbell River has had its chance to bask in the Olympic glory through our participation in the Olympic torch relay. It was a great event and did not hurt the city’s credibility and undoubtedly caught the attention of policy makers and business leaders.

So, in the end, the Olympics bring a benefit to the province. Does it bring dollar-for-dollar value to the province, it’s hard to say. The value most likely lies in nebulous areas like reputation and awareness of the existence of this part of the world. When events of this type make a profit, it’s often based on heavy subsidization and the Vancouver Olympics will not likely be any different.

However, we will all bask in the glow of the games spotlight and we need to make the best of the opportunity.