Greater Sudbury will decide next week whether to continue with its bid to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games. Meeting Jan. 10, city council will vote whether to commit $3 million and accept responsibility for any deficits that may result from hosting the Games. The total cost of hosting the event is estimated at $45 million.
After receiving support on council initially, some councillors have expressed doubts in recent months about whether the bid is a good idea for the city. If approved, Greater Sudbury would also be agreeing to accept all hosting standards for the 2021 Canada Games and put up a $10,000 non-refundable payment.
“The event typically attracts 4,600 participants, including athletes, coaches and managers, 4,500-6,000 volunteers and 11,000-16,000 spectators,” says the staff report on the bid. “It is the largest single sporting event in Canada.”
The 2013 Summer Games took place in Sherbrooke, Que., and the report says it resulted in total economic activity of $110.7 million in that community, including $50.9 million in combined capital, operations and visitor spending directly associated with hosting the Games.
“In Sherbrooke itself, 801 jobs were supported by the Games with wages and salaries totalling $36.5 million,” the report says. “In addition to the athletes and coaches, more than 16,600 visitors travelled to Sherbrooke as participants and spectators.”
If the city commits the $3 million, it will unlock another $6 million in matching capital funds from the federal and provincial governments. And direct visitor spending during the event is estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million, the report said. And the city would be left with improved sporting facilities.
“Highlights of sports venue assets include a new soccer complex at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, enhanced baseball facilities at Terry Fox Complex, new and improved softball facilities at Centennial Arena in Hanmer and potential for a legacy community pickleball complex as part of new tennis courts at James Jerome Sports Complex,” the report says.
In addition to the Games, Sherbrooke hosted several test events between 2009 and 2013, to help prepare for hosting the actual event.
“These test events would also help to raise the city’s profile as a preferred destination for sport tourism, raising awareness of visitor amenities and northern hospitality,” the report says.
While the investment may seem daunting, the report says other cities have benefited financially from hosting the Games, excluding the capital investments. The 2009 Summer Games in Charlottetown, PEI, ended with $3.3 million in net income; the 2011 Winter Games in Halifax netted $2.5 million; while the 2013 Summer Games in Sherbrooke netted $2.3 million.
Other benefits, should Sudbury win the Games, include:
- Renewed assets and sports infrastructure that may otherwise be out of reach;
- A total of $20.7 million in capital and operational support from senior governments to leverage private sector contributions, raising Greater Sudbury’s profile and promoting awareness from both a business development and tourism perspective;
- Experience that can be used to host other events with the same infrastructure; and,
- Increased public participation and engagement through active volunteer experience, helping to advance the goals of the Greater Sudbury Public Participation Policy.
The deadline for the city to submit its bid is Jan. 31. If approved, the bid evaluation committee for the Games would visit Feb. 27, with the announcement of the winning city by March 30.
In addition to Sudbury, Ottawa, Niagara, and the combined bid of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph are also in the running.
