Premier plays no favourites with bids for Games

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This article was published 14/02/2012 (5326 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Greg Selinger declined to tip his hand when asked if he prefers either Brandon or Winnipeg as the host of the 2017 Canada Summer Games.

“Manitoba is my preferred choice for (the games),” Selinger said.

However, Selinger did express his support for a joint bid by the province’s two largest communities, should one be deemed desirable.

“A joint bid would be an excellent idea because you get away from the very tricky question you were just asking me and then everyone comes out a winner,” Selinger said. “There might even be a need for that depending on the activities. You could share some of the swimming activities at some of the existing facilities. A joint bid would be an excellent idea and I’ll leave it up to the two mayors to see if they want to do that together.

“We think it’s a good idea to host the games and we will be supportive from either community or jointly, which is a win for everyone.”

That was news at Brandon City Hall, where city officials are busy working to determine if a bid for the Games is feasible.

“A joint bid has never been discussed before,” Brandon city manager Scott Hildebrand said. “We’ve been status quo on this and have been busy doing our due diligence to understand the pros and cons of the bid and need to determine if we are submitting a bid. We are still in the due diligence stage.”

Hildebrand said he couldn’t comment on whether a joint bid makes sense.

“The Canada Games Council would have to make that determination because it’s their call,” Hildebrand said. “We are just staying focused on what we need to do, still thinking this is a single-city bid.”

Brandon has not been asked by the provincial government to consider a joint bid, nor has the city asked about the possibility, the city’s communications director Allison Collins said in an email. Even with the $185,000 cut in the major events hosting reserve from the 2012 Brandon city budget on Feb. 7, there are sufficient funds in that reserve to determine whether a bid is feasible, Collins added.

Selinger offered a nod to the Wheat City’s ability to host a Canada Summer Games.

“We think both communities are capable of doing it,” Selinger said. “Brandon has certainly demonstrated in the past that it can host major events here, whether it’s hockey, or sporting events.”

If Brandon is awarded the games, $9 million will be allocated for capital upgrades to existing venues or construction of new ones, with the city’s share of those costs totalling $3 million.

“We have committed to upgrading the swimming pool and other facilities out here and we’ll be backing a proposal that makes a difference for the province,” Selinger said. “Usually when you upgrade facilities, you can operate them more effectively.”

Selinger said Canada Games host communities can provide an economic windfall for their regions, in response to a question about whether a bid is feasible for communities with budget crunches.

“These kinds of things tend to generate a lot of economic activity, and so I think the cost benefit is usually positive for a major sporting event because it brings people from all across the country to the community,” Selinger said. “It usually leaves a legacy of facilities that are a positive for the community.”

Brandon and Winnipeg must submit their intent to bid for the 2017 Canada Summer Games by March 16.

» kborkowsky@brandonsun.com