The seven-member evaluation commission for the Commonwealth Games has completed its evaluation of Hamilton’s 2010 bid, and according to a report in The Globe and Mail, they kept their opinions close to their vests.
But Michael Hooper, the head of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said Hamilton’s proposed athletes village at McMaster University would “not only meet, but will exceed international requirements”.
The commission would not comment on specific weaknesses of Hamilton’s bid and on New Delhi, Hamilton’s only competitor for the Games.
When asked if he thought the awarding of the 2010 Winter Games to Vancouver would have any impact on Hamilton’s chances of getting the Commonwealth Games, Hooper said, “personally I don’t think so. I don’t put any currency in it, from that perspective. Not that many Commonwealth members actually participate in the Winter Games”.
Karen O’Neill, the chief executive officer of Commonwealth Games Canada, said that although the image of Hamilton is of a small city that caters to industrial workers, the commissioners were “taken aback” by the level of resources and infrastructure offered by Hamilton’s bid.
Hamilton only needs to build a 42,000-seat stadium for the opening and closing ceremonies and it would have to enhance a new aquatic centre that McMaster University has in its plans.
O’Neill said, “that’s two major facilities only. All of the rest involve retrofits and small retrofits. It’s typically unheard of for a bid committee to have so many facilities ready to go”.
Hooper was also impressed by the level of commitment from the three levels of government to back Hamilton’s bid. The federal and provincial governments would each inject $250-million into the $715-million budget. “These are positive signals”, he said. “Many of the facilities surpass international requirements while others need to be brought up to standard. But the Games are seven years away”.
The group met with local police forces and found a clear, concise plan of security for the Hamilton Games, reports the newspaper. Hooper said, “clearly security is an issue that is very important to the Games. And athlete security is paramount”.
During the four day inspection 642 specific issues were discussed such as transportation and security.
The evaluation commission will be in New Delhi August 3 to 7. The 2010 Commonwealth Games will elect a host city at a Commonwealth general assembly in Jamaica on November 13.
