Derry could get FanZone during Rio Olympics 2016

The proposal for D.C.S.D.C. to participate in the official FanZone Network was made at the monthly meeting of the Business and Culture Committee in the Council Chamber in Strabane on Tuesday afternoon.

The Rio Olympic Games will run from August 5 to 21.

The FanZone Network is managed by the company b-focused ltd.

The former Derry City Council (D.C.C.) streamed live action from the London Olympic Games in Waterloo Place in 2012.

If D.C.S.D.C. was to approve FanZone participation the location would become an official fan site of Team G.B. Rio 2016 FanZone Network.

Whilst the proposal is for D.C.S.D.C. to participate in a FanZone that would cover Team G.B., council officers insisted that they would work closely with the company managing the FanZone sites to ensure coverage of Team Ireland as well.

FanZone offer participating groups £5,000 based on running the FanZone for the entire 16 days of the Olympic Games and being commercially clean.

Council officers estimate that it would cost approximately £12,000 to run the FanZone over the entire 16 days therefore additional funding would be required.

Sinn Fein Councillor Mickey Cooper asked for the proposal to be deferred until council officers could furnish the committee with more information on how both Team G.B. and Team Ireland could enjoy equal coverage.

“Did the company who managed the FanZones approach council or did council approach the company.

“I assume that this company is a commercial enterprise therefore from Sinn Fein’s point of view it is unclear how the company could commit to equal coverage for both Team G.B. and Team Ireland. With this in mind I would ask for the matter to deferred.”

Council officers will present the Business and Culture Committee with an update on the FanZone at a later date.