The price tag for hosting the BC Summer Games in Langley Township this year?

Roughly $695,000.

"There's not a lot of people to pay," said BC Games president Kelly Mann. "The joy of the BC Games is that it's 98 per cent volunteer driven."

Much of the money comes from the provincial government, and major sponsorships from private companies and donations of goods and services help keep costs down.

This year, Overwaitea and Envision Financial, both based in Langley, have increased their sponsorship levels. A wide array of smaller firms is providing help elsewhere.

One of the biggest single cost for the Games is administration costs, but that is still just $158,000, including salaries for a handful of paid staff, insurance, and space rentals.

Food costs almost as much. The Games are spending about $130,000 to feed more than 3,100 hungry athletes over four days.

Considering how many calories the kids will burn, it seems like a bargain.

Sports equipment is also a key cost, including everything from fuel for boats in the towed water sports category, to new balls - volleyballs, baseballs, softballs and more.

Between the provincial funding, the volunteers, and the donations in kind, the Games often have a surplus left at the end of the day, noted Gordon Zacher, the director of administration for this year's events.

"Hopefully, we'll have a profit," he said.

That "profit" becomes a legacy fund. Half goes back to the province, but the other half will stay in Langley.

An independent legacy committee, with local representation from the Township council, will oversee the money's distribution. Most of it - 70 per cent - will go towards sports in the Township, the remaining 30 per cent to cultural events.

Zacher couldn't say exactly how much money will be left over at the end of the Games, by Sunday.

However, a rough estimate would be in the range of $75,000 to $100,000, he said.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com