Would You Pay $95 a Night to Camp?

I mentioned on chatline the other night that the city of Vancouver, B.C. is going to allocate 395 RV spaces for the February, 2010 Olympic Winter Games. While that sounds great, it's going to cost $95 per night with no services! Even though the RV sites are located at Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks in the trendy, upscale neighbourhood of Kitsilano, it just seems to me that's pretty outrageous pricing.

Night view of Vancouver, B.C. from Jericho Beach


I think this is just more proof that the Olympic Games have simply become a 2 week party for the rich and famous. But, it's especially true for the fat cat Olympic Committee executives who stay in 5 star hotels, ride in limos, fly in private jets and are feted like royalty because they hold the power to award the games to whatever city they choose next.

Daytime view of downtown from Jericho Beach trail


I wouldn't care a bit if the Olympics didn't cost me, as a taxpayer, any money! But, despite their “who can find the pea” accounting practices, the Olympics are not paid for privately. We pay - especially for the security costs which now run over a $1 billion! As for the facilities left behind for the communities - they could be built much more economically based on local needs. Despite being asked to subsidize the games, the average person can hardly afford the price of a ticket for even one event, let alone take the whole family.



So, back to the RV sites. It’s true the lots will offer spectacular views of downtown Vancouver – especially at night with downtown lit up like a torch. So, why couldn’t the Olympic organizers just give families a break by renting these sites for a reasonable $25 a night? I guess, to answer my own question, it’s because they just want to gouge as much money as possible out of every visitor and resident they can. Unfortunately, that’s what the Olympic Games have come to mean to me.



In any event, we’ll be in Palm Springs sitting by the pool, under palm trees next February enjoying the luxuries of our fully serviced winter resort for less than $16 a night. If we feel like it, we may watch a few of the events on our satellite TV – for free!