Canada Games – THOROLD, ON (July 6, 2016) – Niagara is one step closer to becoming the host of the 2021 Canada Summer Games. On Thursday June 30, the Niagara Region submitted its Technical Plan to the Canada Games Council in Ottawa. This submission is the first stage of the two-stage bid process. The second stage is a submission of Niagara’s Comprehensive Plan to be submitted in January 2017. Canada Games Council will announce the winning community in April of 2017. 

 

The Region’s Technical Plan describes the venues proposed to host the 2021 Games. These facilities include: The Meridian Centre, Canadian Henley Rowing Course, Welland International Flatwater Centre, Scotiabank Convention Centre, and the new Southward Community Centre in Grimsby. In addition, there will be a new multipurpose Stadium and Sport and Abilities Centre to be located in Thorold. Venues have also been identified for several cultural and festival events that would occur throughout the Region during the Games.

 

The Region’s Plan for the Games would provide all 12 municipalities with improved facilities and other opportunities for legacies. It is expected that the Games would attract 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to the Region and provide an estimated economic impact of $200 million. The new and improved sporting facilities would provide new sport and recreation opportunities for all of Niagara regardless of age and physical ability.

 

Steve Bauer, a former Canadian Olympic cyclist, and architect of the cycling plans in the Region’s Technical Plan described this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “To host these Games in our community would be incredible. Not just for the two-weeks of the event, but for the lasting legacy for everyone in Niagara. These Games are rotated across the country and are coming to Ontario in 2021 – we believe it’s Niagara turn.”

 

The Bid Group has just launched a website and social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. Now Niagara can show its support by following along and visiting www.niagara2021.com and using the hashtags #Niagara2021 and #WeWantTheGames.

 

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Photos attached

 

Photo #1: From left: Regional Chair Alan Caslin and Regional Councilors Tim Rigby, Henry D’Angela, and Bob Gale. All members of Niagara’s Bid Group, holding the Technical Plan that was submitted.

 

Photo #2: Members of regional council with copies of Niagara’s technical submission for the 2021 Canada Games. Front from left: April Jeffs, Gary Burroughs, Kelly Edgar, Frank Campion, Sandra Easton, Bob Gale, Tim Rigby, Alan Caslin, Henry D’Angela, Brian Baty, Bea Kenny, Bob Bentley, Ted Luciani, George Marshall. Back from left: Debbie MacGregor, Brian Heit, Dave Augustyn, Bill Hodgson, Selina Volpatti, Pat Darte, Bruce Timms, Jim Diodati and David Barrick.   

 

Photo #3: Steve Bauer, former Canadian Olympic Silver Medal Cyclist, and architect of the cycling plans in the Region’s Technical Plan. 

 

Logo Attachment:  Official 2021 Canada Summer Games Bid Community Logo.

 

About The Canada Games

 

The Canada Games is a high-level multi-sport event with a National Artists Program held every two years in Canada, alternating between the Canada Winter Games and the Canada Summer Games. Athletes are strictly amateur only, and represent their province or territory.

 

 

The Games were first held in 1967 in Quebec City as part of Canada’s Centennial celebrations. For the first time in Canada’s history, 1,800 athletes from 10 provinces and two territories gathered to compete in 15 sports. Under the Games motto “Unity through Sport”, these first Canada Winter Games paved the way to what is now Canada’s largest multi-sport competition for young athletes.

 

For more information, please contact:

 

Bram Cotton                                            Matt Hill                     

Chief Executive Officer                                       Director, Sport & Venues

Niagara Sport Commission                                 2021 Canada Summer Games Niagara Bid Group

bram.cotton@niagarasportcommission.com      matt.hill@niagarasportcommission.com

289-362-2215                                                     416-659-1999

 

www.niagarasportcommission.com                    www.niagara2021.com