Fredericton votes to assume any Acadian games deficit

Fredericton voted on Monday night to assume any potential deficit from the Acadian games that are being held in the capital city in 2017.

• Fredericton wins bid to host 2017 Acadian games

Coun. Randy Dickinson voted against the agreement, saying it's the first contract where the city assumed financial responsibility for an event if it doesn't make a profit.

"It's not that I don't expect the game to be well run and organized," Dickinson said.

"But what if we had another [post-tropical storm] Arthur during the first day of the proposed games and everything was cancelled and those arrangements with caterers and service providers and people coming in and travellers whatever and they don't actually have the games and generate a profit, the city could be on the hook."

However, the city's mayor said he was not as concerned about the possible financial implications.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said the last eight Jeux de l'Acadie events have turned a profit.

"There's not a great deal of risk here based on their track record. so we're prepared to go to that," Woodside said.

The multi-sport games are scheduled to be held from June 28 to July 2, 2017 and are being organized by Centre Communautaire Sainte-Anne.

Fredericton won the bid to host the game in 2014. The city last hosted the games in 2000. 

The sporting and cultural activities are held every year for Acadian and francophone youth throughout Atlantic Canada.