When will construction on the Maloof Money Cup Skateboarding Park in Kimberley commence?
We will commence work on construction of the skatepark June 2011

Is that the correct name of the park? If not, please give me the correct name.
The name has not been finalised yet, dependant on the securement of a Naming Partner

When will it be finished?
The skatepark will be finished in time for the event, which commence on 30 September 2011

How much will it cost?
Maloof Skateboarding LLC will be constructing the park and are working with the provincial department and Sol Plaatje Municipality on finalising the design, which will determine the budget

Who are the stakeholders? (As far as I know it is the NC tourism and De Beers?)
This is a Provincial Government initiative managed by the NCTA

When exactly will the event be held?
September 30 to October 2

How many tourists are expected to flock to the Northern Cape for this event?
Pro Skaters from all over the world is expected to participate and they will have a following which has not been determined yet. Promotional activations are currently taking place in these countries, driven by Maloof Skateboarding LLC, our American partner

What will the purpose of this park be once the Money Cup is finished?
The Skateboarding Championship event has been secured for 2011 – 2013 and the skatepark will then become a qualifier venue from 2014.

How much money can be won at the Money Cup?
The total prize purse is $500,000 approximately R3,75million

Are you excited about the prospects of this development?
The Northern Cape Government is extremely excited about this development

What will the host of the Money Cup mean for the Northern Cape and specifically Kimberley?
What benefits would the province see from the record attempt?
The Northern Cape faces a number of significant socio-economic challenges including a high unemployment rate, inherent poverty, a limited skills pool and a poorly diversified and spatially dispersed economy. However the province is richly endowed with a variety of unique natural, cultural and heritage features. It is the varied and abundant natural features and rich biodiversity that makes the province ideally suited to adventure sports activities on land, in water and in the air. The following benefits will accrue:

Economic impact

• In developing a new industry in the province new opportunities for transport, merchandising, food and beverage, equipment, venues, accommodation, tour guiding, etc. will contribute to poverty alleviation objectives,
• Tourism is a key source of foreign revenue and could increase provincial revenue and stimulate the overall economy through its backward and forward linkages,

Branding the province

• Confirming the Northern Cape as the international address of extreme sports,
• Raising the profile of the NC on the global stage,
• International recognition through international TV and Radio coverage e.g. BBC,

Job creation

• Enhanced global and domestic foot travel will not only unlock an untapped niche market but also increase provincial revenue,
• International branding and tourism marketing provides access to various merchandising opportunities and tangible procurement opportunities,
• Development of new entrepreneurs to service the growing extreme sports economic sector,

Skills development

• Engaging in extensive national and international partnerships affords a host of opportunities to enhance skills development,
• Skills development can be consolidated through the presentation of learnerships and skills programs in project and event management, marketing and publications, communications, logistics, etc.

Economic transformation

• Transformation of the provincial tourism sector through the economic empowerment and development of emerging entrepreneurs,
• Extreme sports has a strong youth bias and could contribute to the general upliftment of youth and the emergence of new heroes in a new sporting environment,

Promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism

• Extreme sports events should benefit the population at large and serve as a catalyst for human development,
  
• The environment must be acknowledged as the cornerstone of extreme sports events and should be constructively engaged ensuring sound environmental practices

Peter McKuchane
GM: Business Tourism