Each of Vancouver's 23 community centres will receive a 50-inch plasma flat-screen TV and $1,000 to create "community living rooms" during the Olympic Games.
The city is spending $60,000 on the gifts. The money is coming out of Vancouver's $20 million Olympic legacy fund, which was approved by city council in 2007.
The community centres will receive the cash and TVs in December and get to keep the TVs after the Games are over.
Lesli Boldt, project manager for 2010 Host City Communications, told ctvbc.ca Monday that the gifts are designed to foster community spirit and give people who can't see the Games in person an opportunity to enjoy the events.
Boldt suggested community centres could use the cash to pay for hot cocoa, children's activities and mini-Olympic torches.
After the Games, the community centres will be able to use the TVs for things like movie nights, she said.
Raj Hundal, chair of the Vancouver Park Board, told ctvbc.ca Monday that even though the city is under a budget crunch, he supports the city's decision to spend the money.
"It promotes community spirit and that's important, as well," he said.
"The Olympics are for everyone - rich and poor."
