Ottawa’s corporate services committee Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a plan to give Ottawa’s bid committee for the 2014 Commonwealth Games more than half the $500,000 it might need to bid for the 2014 Games.
Ottawa’s Mayor Bob Chiarelli, who is a member of the bid committee said, “I think we have as good a shot (at winning the Games) if not better than everybody else”.
While the city is promising cash, the bid committee said it has so far found mostly “in kind” offers from the private sector (expertise to work on the bid).
Cyril Leeder, a member of the bid committee and general manager of the Corel Centre, said Ottawa could expect a major economic boost in both the construction and tourism industries if the city landed the Games.
Before any Games could be held the city would need to build a new athletic centre and refurbish old ones, said Leeder, adding, “a lot of our facilities need upgrading”.
Ottawa needs a new pool facility and a significant upgrading of Lansdowne Park, where events, including track and field and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies could be held.
Leeder said the committee believes Ottawa has an excellent chance of being the Canadian candidate because of the five cities in contention – Calgary, Halifax, Hamilton, Ottawa and the Regional Municipality of York – it is the largest city, as well as being the capital of Canada and the only city that hasn’t hosted an event of this magnitude.
Before the city hands over the $275,000, it needs the approval of the full city council and the request will now go before city council at its August 24 meeting.
