Legacy of AC35 relies on leadership
The legacy of the America’s Cup for Bermuda will depend on follow-up action and leadership, ACBDA chief executive Mike Winfield said.
He added the financial figures in an independent PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the event were impressive, but that the information contained in the ACBDA’s legacy report was “of equal value and importance”.
Mr Winfield said: “There is the potential for much more, but that potential will only be realised with leadership and determination.
“We need to seize those opportunities as they will exist for a short period of time.”
Mr Winfield was speaking after reports into the economic, environmental, social and legacy impacts of the event were unveiled on Thursday.
The 55-page report on the legacy impact of the America’s Cup highlighted the new Cross Island and improvements made in Dockyard and Morgan’s Point, as well as other sporting events secured since AC35.
The report said: “Bermuda has secured rights to host the ITU World Triathlon Series, Oyster Regatta and International Moth World Championships in 2018.
“Other possibilities include Formula E motor racing, international offshore powerboat racing and Red Bull air races.”
The report also referred to a $500,000 donation by America’s Cup-related groups to the island.
It said: “From refurbished sailboats to school supplies, playground equipment, furniture, hydration stations, wi-fi devices for public schools and computer equipment, donations were received by communities, schools, and government departments.”
Mr Winfield added: “More than 1,600 students aged 9-12 years were engaged with the America’s Cup Endeavour Programme. The Endeavour Community Programme will have a sustained legacy impact on Bermuda.
“Two sailing forts are established and this programme will continue to impact thousands of Bermudian children for the foreseeable future.”
Mr Winfield also revealed that 80 per cent of the visitors for the America’s Cup said they would recommend Bermuda as a holiday destination.
He added: “Our emergency services received international training that will stand them in good stead for the future and they have been exposed to the efficacies of a joint agency, tightly co-ordinated approach.
“The creation of the Joint Agency Control Centre was a first for Bermuda and provides an extremely useful model for co-ordinated command of major events going forward.”
The legacy report also detailed a series of donations of cash, equipment and supplies by the America’s Cup Event Authority, the ACBDA and the teams to various local organisations including schools, Government departments and charities.
Sir Russell Coutts, chief executive officer of the America’s Cup Event Authority, said: “Through the America’s Cup Endeavour Programme thousands of Bermudian children have been provided with an opportunity to learn and grow through the sport of sailing, and there will be thousands more to come.
“This legacy was close to my heart but the following report gives you a sense for how wide-reaching the impact has been and we hope will continue to be in Bermuda for many years.”
The ACEA donated:
• Office supplies and equipment, including computer monitors, backpacks, caps, water bottles and sunglasses to Bermudian schools, churches, government agencies and charities.
• Furniture from more than 20 apartments occupied by America’s Cup staff and teams to the Salvation Army.
• A number of freshwater hydration stations to five primary schools and one middle school.
• The 30ft x 65ft playground equipment was relocated to the Botanical Gardens.
• Picnic tables, life jackets and various sailing equipment to Endeavour Community Sailing.
• Replica rudders and dagger boards from the America’s Cup sailboats to the Masterworks Foundation.
• The Fan Store container to the Ireland Rangers Football Club and approximately 295 trash bins to the Ministry of Public Works.
• The ACBDA and ACEA are in the process of donating all their indoor and outdoor wi-fi equipment, worth about $145,000, which is enough for every public school in Bermuda.
• The America’s Cup Endeavour Programme hosted a Gala in June 2017 at Fort Hamilton which raised nearly $610,000, which was split equally between Endeavour Community Sailing and Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
• America’s Cup Race Management donated $100,000 to the Bermuda Zoological Society through the Government of Bermuda and invested more than $30,000 in Bermuda Weather Services to assist with enhancement of the Pearl Island Weather Station.
• The ACRM also donated $50,000 in furniture to the Government following the America’s Cup to use in future low-cost housing.
•Oracle Team USA’s canteen area, with showers, dinghy ramp and garages was given to the Endeavour Sailing Community. The sheds used for Oracle’s sail boat, wing, and boat building were donated to Wedco and have the potential to serve as the Endeavour Sailing Centre, as were the office furniture and gym.
• Artemis Racing donated the boat displayed at their base at the America’s Cup Village to the new Vintage Transportation Museum.
•Oracle Team USA donated an AC45 boat and a “wing” to the Bermuda Vintage Transport Museum Ltd.
• Team France assisted the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo in cleaning turtles and by building a shaded area on Trunk Island to allow for future outdoor classes.
• SoftBank Team Japan, who won the Foil Fest 2016, donated their prize money of $6,250 to the Reading Clinic and $6,250 to the Centre Against Abuse.
• Land Rover BAR, in partnership with the Bermuda National Museum, provided funding to install 194 solar panels on the roof of the museum, which is expected to cut the museum’s electricity bills by as much as 20 per cent.
• Land Rover BAR donated tables, chairs, bookcases, books, unused exercise books, art supplies, stationary, whiteboards, and storage units to Purvis Primary School.
