2021 Canada Summer Games: Sudbury councillors ponder risks, benefits of bid
A go-ahead to bid for the Games means Sudbury would need to find $3 million for facilities
Sudbury city council will decide this week if the advantages outweigh the costs of bidding for the 2021 Canada Summer Games.
As one of the largest sporting events in the country, it would come with thousands of visitors and millions of dollars worth of new infrastructure. It would also bring thousands of young athletes to compete in 18 different sports. But, there would also be a cost to taxpayers.
A successful Canada Games bid means the three levels of government would share the cost of sports facilities worth an estimated $9 million.
Sudbury sports journalist and organizer Randy Pascal said it's his job to convince city council that the investment will be worth it.
"There will always be the naysayers out there who will jump on the reasons not to host it," said Pascal. "But I think it's up to the silent majority, who are involved in local sports, to make a stand on that."
Pascal said the Games would raise Sudbury's profile, fill its hotels and restaurants and leave behind a lasting legacy of sports infrastructure.
City 'has to take the lead'
When Sudbury hosted the 2010 Ontario Summer Games, an improved track complex and artificial turf field were created for the city.
As for the current wish list for infrastructure, a new tennis complex, a baseball diamond and a second artificial turf field would likely be near the top of the to-do list, said Pascal.
"I think sometimes we tend to be a little bit more sensitive to living in town. It's not bad. It's not where we would like it be as a sporting community, there's always things that are going to be on the sporting community wish list," he said.
The co-chair of the 2010 provincial games, John Roberts, said he's been surprised and disappointed that no other events have followed in Sudbury after the Games six years ago.
"The city really has to take the lead in the bidding," said Roberts. "Some cases, where nobody [has been] willing to take the reins, have just fallen through."
If council fires the starting gun Tuesday night, the bidding race will begin, with a finish line at the official announcement in spring of 2017.