City council will consider next week whether to bid to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games.
Submitting a bid would cost $20,000 initially. If the bid fails, $10,000 would be returned to the city. If it succeeds, the municipality would have to pay the full $30,000 it costs to bid on the games.
“The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation board of directors has approved a contribution of $20,000 toward the bid process for the 2021 Canada Summer Games that would be used to support the city’s letter of intent,” says a report going to city council May 10. “Should the city advance to the short-listing phase of the competitive bid process, a minimum capital contribution of $3 million would be required, along with operational funding, from the municipal level.
“Staff will work with finance as well as funding agencies at the federal and provincial levels to determine funding available for this event if the city is selected as part of the short list of bid communities.”
In addition to raising the city's profile, the Games offer economic benefits, the report said.
The Canada Summer Games held in Sherbrooke, Que., in 2013 “resulted in an economic impact of $165 million, $80.4 million GDP, created more than 1,111 jobs and brought more than 16,600 visitors to Sherbrooke,” the report said.
Encompassing 17 sports, 4,600 athletes, coaches and managers and 6,000 volunteers, there are 18 days of operations planned for August 2021, with events split into two one-week periods.
“Economic impact is comparable to Grey Cup or World Junior Hockey Championships events,” the report said. “Canada Summer Games alumni contribute to nearly half of the medals won by Canada at the Olympics.”
And while a capital contribution of $3 million is required from the city, it would be matched by both the provincial and federal government for a total of $9 million in capital funding.
“The overall capital investment in past host venues has averaged $15 million to $19 million for previous Canada Games host communities, including all levels of government funding and private sector sponsorship,” the report said.
A public meeting to gauge public interest in hosting the event took place April 1, with 29 people from several different sporting clubs and organizations in attendance.
“The group reached the consensus that the city should proceed with further exploration of the bid requirements,” the report said. “A number of other groups also expressed interest in the opportunity despite not being available to attend the meeting in person.”
The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between summer and winter games. The next summer games will be held in Winnipeg next year, with the winter games set for Red Deer, Alta., in 2019.
If the city proceeds with the bid, the full $30,000 fee is due by Jan. 31, 2017. The winning bidder will be announced in spring 2017.
