Thunder Bay to take a closer look at Canada Games bid

Superior Morning4:38Thunder Bay Bid on 2021 Canada Summer Games?

Should Thunder Bay bid on the 2021 Canada Summer Games -- city councillors started to discuss that last night. Let's listen to part of the debate.

Thunder Bay city councillors will ultimately decide whether to pursue a bid to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games at budget talks this week.

Council discussed the matter on Monday and directed city staff to bring a budget submission to Thursday's meeting, where councillors will decide whether to add at least $300,000 to the 2016 municipal budget. Administration has estimated that's what it will cost this year to start pursuing a bid to host the multi-sport event.

• Thunder Bay to decide on bid to host 2021 Canada Summer Games

Even though several councillors spoke with fondness about the last time the city held the games in 1981 — including Rebecca Johnson, who was on the organizing committee — there were concerns about adding to the budget just to have a chance at playing host.

"I'm going to spend a fair amount of time going through that budget package again to try to pull a million-and-a-half [dollars] out," said Coun. Johnson. "I don't know how I can honestly support this."

"Would I like to have it? You bet," she continued, but added that she can't support putting additional dollars into the budget, or additional staff on the city's payroll. One person would need to be hired to prepare a bid package, according to administration.

Hosting the games a second time would be 'magical'

For Coun. Andrew Foulds, the summer games also bring back memories — both as a spectator in 1981 and as an athlete in the 1993 games in Kamloops, B.C.  He brought the motion forward to examine adding to the city budget on Thursday.

"For us to host [the games] a second time, I think would be, it would be magical," he said, but added he's aware it will be tough to win the games a second time.

Administration's report to council noted that no community has ever hosted the games twice, and there is expected to be stiff competition among a number of Ontario municipalities to host the 2021 games.

Foulds said that competitors and the host city all have much to gain by participating. "The athletes have a tremendous amount of pride but the community also has an equal amount of pride," he said.

Foulds also noted that the last time Thunder Bay hosted the games, it lead to "legacy projects" still in use today, like the Canada Games Complex.