City of Greater Sudbury wants public to back 2021 Canada Games bid

The City of Greater Sudbury is preparing to make an impression on evaluators for its 2021 Canada Summer Games bid. 

A technical review committee will be in the city on Aug. 26 to assess its suitability for the major sporting event.

Officials will visit 20 facilities, including James Jerome Complex, Moonlight Beach and Centennial Park, to name a few.

"I think that coming to Sudbury it's going to be more of a boutique feel versus a big box or a cookie cut experience that you might get at one of the other communities that we are competing against," a major events development officer for the city, Paul Schweyer, said.

Sudbury is in the running to host the event against Niagara, Ottawa, and a joint bid from Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge.

The city estimates that the games could have an economic impact of $165 million. 

It also comes with $9 million in infrastructure funding, which is split between the federal, provincial and municipal governments. 

At least 4,600 athletes and coaches are expected to participate in the competition.

City estimates $165M economic impact 

The city is calling on the community to gather at the Northern Water Sports Centre on Aug. 26 at 6:45 p.m. to show organizers support for the bid. 

"We'd like to get members of the community out on that evening just to welcome them and show support and show enthusiasm for our bid," Schweyer said.

The games are scheduled to take place for two weeks between July 29 and August 15, 2021.

The city has spent $20,000 on its bid so far. 

Games officials will announce which communities have been shortlisted for the next part of the bidding process on Sept. 9.

A final decision is expected in spring 2017.