OIC pledge new funding package to boost Island Games coffers

The 2025 Island Games received a financial lifeline on Tuesday after Orkney Islands councillors voted to shell out an extra £400,000 to keep it on track to break even.

It followed a passion-filled 100 minute debate over whether to top up the £1million it has already pledged towards the county’s hosting of the biennial international competition.

Members also sanctioned the in-kind loss of income and additional costs of more than £200,000 from the use of its services during the week-long event.

Officials said soaring inflation and extra expenses incurred through the COVID-related two year delay in its staging and the loss of the headline sponsor had bust the budget set by by organisers, Orkney 2025 Ltd.

Read more on this story in this week’s The Orcadian.