Halifax has won the race to become Canada’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but how are its competitors, Hamilton, Ottawa, and the Regional Municipality of York (York Region), reacting to the decision?
Duncan Gillespie, the CEO of Hamilton Entertainment Convention Facilities Inc. said losing the Canada Commonwealth Games bid to Halifax was a terrible setback considering “we had the inside track”. According to the Hamilton Spectator the civic entertainment complex had been banking on the Games and government partners for $6 million to $7 million in upgrades needed for Copps Coliseum.
Robert Trull, vice president of university advancement at McMaster University said “we wanted to help the image of Hamilton and some people will view us as having lost twice. But it takes a significant event like this to be the catalyst to transform the city and the image of the city”. The university had already moved ahead with its plans for a new stadium and athletic complex additions after Hamilton lost its bid for the 2010 Games the last time.
But he said Hamilton probably shouldn’t gamble on a third bid for the Games.
Neil Everson, the city’s economic development director says perhaps Hamilton should only gamble again in 2030 when the city can be the sentimental favourite because the Games started in Hamilton in 1930.
Hamilton bid head Jagoda Pike said of Halifax, “they’ve got a lot of work ahead of them and hopefully they’ll be successful on behalf of Canada. It would have been great obviously to go on as the Canadian city, but the Canadian city, as we know from last time, is not necessarily the international city”.
Ottawa’s Mayor Bob Chiarelli was obviously disappointed reports the Ottawa Sun. The Games were expected to generate about $1 billion worth of business during the 10-day event.
Chiarelli said the city has done well bringing national events to the capital, including several Canadian Football League championships, the Junos and figure skating events. “We have had our fair share of successes”, he said.
Ottawa bid head Abby Hoffman said it will be Halifax’s challenge to increase its stature on the international stage in order to “give themselves a reasonable chance of winning against the Nigerian candidate and Glasgow”.
She added, “I think all Canadian cities, any of the four, would have been facing, not an uphill battle but a tough battle at the international level”.
The Regional Municipality of York (York Region) issued a press release Friday congratulating and supporting Halifax in it bid. Bill Crothers, Chairman of York’s 2014 bid said, “being selected to represent Canada is an honour and a privilege and we wish Halifax all the best. I applaud the team from Halifax for their extraordinary work and cheer them on as they prepare to take on the international competition”.
Although he praised Halifax, York Region 2014 bid committee member Paul Henderson blamed York Region’s loss on politics. The Toronto Sun reports Henderson had nothing but scorn for the provincial and municipal politicians of Ontario and Toronto.
He said, “as usual Ontario gets nothing because we play these arrogant petty political Games. Halifax deserved to win. They did a great job and they picked the right city”.
He added, “I think that York Region had a better technical bid and we have the hotels and are the only bidder with a big hub airport but as usual we shot ourselves in the foot. Halifax, meanwhile, had great support. Their premier was co-chairman of their bid, he was front and centre, totally supportive”.
Henderson was a technical sports adviser for York Region 2014.
