P.E.I. Canada Games will leave legacy fund: chair

The chair of the Canada Summer Games says the host committee will be on budget and have enough money left over to leave a legacy fund.

'Let me repeat: We're going to be clean."' — Joe Spriet, Canada Games chair

Joe Spriet told CBC News on Thursday that attracting major sponsors has been tough during the current economic downturn. The Friends of the Games are responsible for raising $7 million of the sporting event's $30-million.

Spriet said he's not ready to discuss exact numbers, but the Games will not run in the red.

"Like any business you would run, you definitely would not go into a situation without some kind of contingency plan regarding finances," he said.

"Our Games will on budget. Let me tell you, let me repeat: We're going to be clean."

In addition Spriet said the committee will create a legacy fund to provide ongoing money for Island athletes and to help maintain the new athletic facilities built for the Games.

There was not enough money for a legacy fund following the last Canada Games held on the Island, in the winter of 1991.

The Games run Aug. 15-29.