A new website linking athletes with affordable accommodation for training camps and competition is hunting for billets in Canmore.
In partnership with Canoe Kayak Canada, www.staybillety.com is looking for homes to help host athletes for the Slalom Canada Cup at Canoe Meadows in Kananaskis, from May 23-29.
Kayak enthusiasts are being asked if they can spare a bedroom for athletes during the event, in return for a fee. Similar athlete accommodation websites are popular in the United States, but this is the first of its kind in Canada, and Canoe Kayak Canada is also using the website to search for billets in Gainesville, Georgia, Whistler, B.C. and Montreal, Que.
“The big thing for athletes is finding different options for accommodation. Travelling in hotels is expensive. This website allows them to find people with similar interest who can open their home up to them,” said website partner Carolyn Waldo, a retired Olympic gold medallist herself.
“We’re trying to remove financial barriers. Those who can’t afford to pay will leave the sport. When I was in the 1988 Olympics, my parents could barely afford to go and watch me. Hotels in Seoul, South Korea were $400 a night. It is unfortunate for athletes who make no money as it is.”
The website is similar to other accommodation sharing services such as Air BnB, although it tries to link those with similar interests.
“With this, you’re dealing with people with similar organizations and backgrounds,” she said.
Waldo said they offer many tips about what to expect from an athlete, which changes from sport to sport. Supporting young athletes, future Olympians and their families is a great way to contribute to a sport, said Waldo, adding such a service would have saved her thousands of dollars when she was competing.
“We have a list of how to host a kayaker. They will want somewhere to hang their wet clothes. They will be up early in the morning and at the venue for the entire day, so it will be quiet. An athlete will be a very easy guest to have. The host can choose how much they want to do for the athlete. They can make them meals or just hand over the keys,” Waldo said.
The Canadian website was founded by another Olympian, Barbara Jones, who wants to add more sports to the website’s repertoire. The website also includes similar services for guests travelling for commencements, concerts and other social gatherings.
The website does allow billets to charge for room stays. The Town of Banff launched a crackdown on such businesses that use these websites without a bed and breakfast licence, using phantom bookings to find violators. The Town of Canmore only allows short term rentals in properties zoned tourist home usage and visitor accomodation, and are currently looking into new licencing for such usages.
Those interested in hosting athletes can visit the web site or email Waldo directly at [email protected].
