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Ottawa...bidding for the 2014 Commonwealth games too!

2K views 18 replies 5 participants last post by  samsonyuen 
#1 ·
I think it'd be great for the nation's capital to bid for the Commonwealth Games. There have been a successful Francophonie Games in 2001. Ottawa-Gatineau'd be the first city to have hosted both!
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Saturday » July 23 » 2005

Ottawa 'interested' in Commonwealth Games bid
Winning city could collect $500M to build facilities to host 2014 event

Vito Pilieci
The Ottawa Citizen

Saturday, July 23, 2005

The City of Ottawa has filed a letter with Commonwealth Games Canada, expressing its interest in becoming the Canadian bidder for the 2014 games.

The deadline for municipalities to file their letters of interest for the games was yesterday. So far Ottawa, Hamilton, Halifax and the Regional Municipality of York -- which includes Newmarket, Aurora and Markham -- have been confirmed as expressing interest in hosting the games.

Commonwealth Games Canada will now begin the process of reviewing cities that have expressed interest. In December, the organization will announce which city it will support in its bid for the 2014 games.

Ottawa's letter leaves the door open for the city to begin organizing an official bid for the games. If the letter had not been submitted, it would no longer have had the option of competing for the games.

The Commonwealth Games are the third largest multi-sporting event in the world, encompassing 4,500 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 4,000 media members, more than 625,000 spectators and a worldwide television audience of more than one billion people.

The city now must open a debate at city council to see whether Ottawa will create a bid committee and set aside a budget to compete for the sporting event.

Jan Harder, councillor for Bell-South Nepean, said submitting the letter was the right thing to do.

"In no way does this mean that we have to proceed. (Yesterday) was the last day that we could have provided that letter of interest and still be in the game," Ms. Harder said. "This now gives us the opportunity as a council to discuss this."

Ottawa is already playing catchup. Hamilton, which lost its bid to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games to India, has already approved creation of a bid team and set aside $400,000 for its campaign. The Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats have also signed on to help boost the city in its attempt to host the event.

Maria McRae, councillor for River Ward, is enthusiastic about supporting a City of Ottawa bid.

"Any means for a G8 capital to showcase itself in a positive way, I stand behind," said Ms. McRae. "The City of Ottawa should do its best to win this."

Just to submit a bid to Commonwealth Games Canada costs a municipality $50,000. To compete in a heated war with other Canadian municipalities vying for a chance at the games will cost at least $350,000 more.

Ottawa last tried for the Commonwealth Games in 1994. The city was eliminated when the selection committee decided Hamilton, Halifax and Montreal would continue through to the final round of selection.

At the time, Ottawa spent $25,000 on a feasibility study to determine what had to be done in order to host the games. Another $350,000 was spent on putting together the city's bid.

Had the city been successful, it would have had to spend between $55 million and $157 million on new stadiums and infrastructure for the 10-day event. The city would have also had to pay $35 million in operating costs for the games.

However, if Ottawa is successful in winning the Canadian bid for the games, the federal and provincial governments could chip in as much as $500 million to build new sporting infrastructure in the city.

Both levels of government committed $250 million each when Hamilton became Canada's bid city trying to host the 2010 games.

That money is actually paid out, however, only if the Canadian city is selected.

And, according to a feasibility study conducted for Hamilton's 2010 bid, the event would create an economic impact of more than $1.4 billion.

"One-point-four billion from a single event that takes place over a summer? It's a question of doing the math," said Ms. McRae. "I think that the City of Ottawa will rally behind this."

City council will now have to debate whether Ottawa moves forward with an official bid to try and become Canada's representative for the games.

Even if Ottawa wins the Canadian bid, the city will have to compete with other municipalities from other Commonwealth nations.

The host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be announced in October 2007.
 
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#2 ·
July 24, 2005
On right track for Games
Commonwealth bid organizers tout city's record
By MICHAEL HAMMOND, Ottawa Sun

ORGANIZERS are hoping Ottawa's track record for hosting large sporting events could help the capital land the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the expected $1.4-billion economic impact.

The city sent a letter to Commonwealth Games Canada Friday, declaring its intention to submit a bid. Ottawa faces stiff competition from Calgary, Halifax, Montreal and Hamilton, which narrowly missed landing the 2010 Games.

Ottawa has already shown it can shine on the world stage, said Pat Reid, of the city's bid committee.

"We just held the Francophone Games (in 2001) and we're hosting the Ontario Summer Games next summer," Reid said. "We have very experienced officials."

CAPITAL PRESTIGE

Ottawa's standing as a national capital could give it an edge over other cities vying for the Canadian bid, he added.

Senators chief operating officer Cyril Leeder, who is also on the bid committee, told the Sun yesterday that Ottawa is the only city of the bid group that has not hosted a major international event on the scale of the Commonwealth Games. That could come into play, he said.

"Some of the intangibles are that we are a capital city and we have not hosted major games," said Leeder.

"All the other cities have these legacy projects."

Canada's chances for hosting the 2014 Games are good, since next year's Games will be in Melbourne, Australia, and the 2010 Games in New Delhi, India, meaning the Games will then shift to this part of the world.

Since London has landed the 2012 Olympics, a Canadian bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games looks promising, Reid said.

"With the Olympics going to London, we shoot pretty close to the top of the list," he said.

Statistics from Hamilton's 2010 Games bid estimate the event will generate $1.4 billion in economic activity. It already has a $400,000 war chest for the 2014 bid.

$500M IN FUNDING

When Hamilton last bid for the Games, the federal and provincial governments pledged a combined $500 million in funding.

Ottawa, if successful, can expect at least that much money if it succeeds in securing the Canadian bid, Reid said.

The Commonwealth Games is the third-largest sporting event in the world. The event features 15 sports and attracts 4,500 athletes, plus 3,000 coaches and technical officials.

Ottawa city council needs to approve the bid.

BIG GAMES, BIG BUCKS

If Ottawa is successful in securing the 2014 Games, the city can expect a number of economic benefits:

- Estimated economic impact of the Games: $1.4 billion

- Expected number of tourists for the Games: 250,000

- Expected number of spectators: 625,000

- Anticipated federal/provincial government support: $500 million

- Direct spending from 2001 Francophone Games: $80 million
 
#5 ·
Ottawa interested in hosting 2014 Commonwealth Games
By Ottawa Business Journal Staff
Fri, Aug 12, 2005 10:00 AM EST

An Ottawa bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games will be considered at next week's meeting of the city's corporate services and economic development committee.

The committee is being asked to support the Ottawa 2014 Bid Committee's interest in hosting the games, as well as a request for funding to prepare the bid.

The Commonwealth Games is the third largest multi-sport event in the world, encompassing 15 different sports and many complementary cultural events. Since the inaugural games in Hamilton in 1930, the sporting event has grown in size and now attracts thousands of athletes from 71 affiliated countries.

Mayor Bob Chiarelli submitted a letter of intent to Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) on July 21 indicating Ottawa's interest in being considered as an applicant for the Canadian bid city, along with a $5,000 non-refundable deposit.

As of July 26, five cities – Halifax, Ottawa, York Region, Hamilton and Calgary – have submitted a letter of interest to host the games. They have until Nov. 1 to submit their formal big proposal. CGC will announce the successful Canadian bid city in December and then work with that city to prepare its bid for the international phase of the process, which begins in April 2006. The final announcement will be made in October 2007.

Ottawa's bid proposal will need to address various assessment criteria, including sports programs, facilities, management capacity/experience, funding and partnerships, logistics and event legacy.

Ottawa's bid committee will submit a detailed cost estimate and its funding request to the corporate services committee at its Aug. 16 meeting. The City of Hamilton has already approved a budget of up to $400,000 to develop its domestic bid and is providing $340,000 of this amount. The City of Halifax has agreed to fund up to 50 per cent of the Halifax bid, up to a maximum of $375,000.
 
#6 ·
Mon, August 15, 2005
Games bid could cost Ottawa up to $500Gs
By LAURA CZEKAJ, Ottawa Sun

THE CITY will be asked to fork over hundreds of thousands of dollars tomorrow by the committee overseeing the bid to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Ottawa.

The committee is likely to base its funding request on the amounts already agreed upon by competing cities Hamilton and Halifax, both of which were finalists for the national bid in 2001. Hamilton went on to compete internationally, losing out to New Delhi, India.

The City of Hamilton has agreed to provide up to $340,000 of the $400,000 it will cost to make its bid and the City of Halifax has said it will contribute half of its cost to a maximum of $375,000.

Jacques Burelle, president of Ottawa Tourism and member of the Ottawa 2014 Bid Committee, said the numbers are still being crunched in preparation for tomorrow's presentation at the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee. However, based on figures presented by competing cities, he guessed the bid might total $500,000.

STIFF COMPETITION


Ottawa is also trying to beat out York Region and Calgary for the national bid. The winner will go on to compete internationally with the final decision to be made in October 2007.

The cost of the international bid is typically covered by the provincial and federal governments, said Burelle.

Coun. Maria McRae said that while she needs to see details about how the requested money will be spent, she is supportive of a reasonable bid.

"I don't think we automatically say no because they are asking for a significant sum of money," she said.

McRae noted that the expected overall economic impact of the games on the city is $1.4 billion.

The games would also throw the international spotlight on Ottawa, resulting in tourism spinoffs even after the games are over.

It's estimated that a billion television viewers will tune into the games worldwide.

"I think, internationally, it would put us on the map for people who otherwise think of us as a sleepy government town," McRae said.

Tourism and economic development from tourism amounts to the third largest sector spending in the city, she said.

"What if we get someone interested outside the Commonwealth who looks at us and goes, 'Hey, holy smokes, Ottawa is not just about 50,000 government jobs anymore?' " McRae said.

The private sector also has a role in establishing funds towards the city's bid since they will also benefit.

The deadline for the city to submit a formal proposal is Nov. 1.
 
#7 ·
Tuesday » August 16 » 2005
Long trip to Commonwealth Games begins
Bid chairman goes to council committee today asking for funds to draw up 40-page proposal

Patrick Dare
The Ottawa Citizen

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

If the City of Ottawa agrees to spend the money to make a bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it will be just the beginning of a long, two-stage process.

A successful bid will involve a public commitment of hundreds of millions of dollars for venues in the capital, but if Ottawa beats the four other Canadian cities also seeking the games, taxpayers still won't know until October 2007 whether Canada's bid is successful. The other Canadian centres competing are Halifax, Hamilton, Regional Municipality of York and Calgary.

The starting point of the bid process was a $5,000 cheque and letter from Mayor Bob Chiarelli that put Ottawa on record as being interested.

The next step comes today as Ottawa Senators chief operating officer Cyril Leeder, who heads the city's bid committee, asks a city council committee for money to draw up a 40-page bid book. Mr. Leeder hasn't tipped his hand on the amount being sought, but Halifax is spending up to $750,000, with the city picking up half the bill. Hamilton has approved up to $400,000 for its bid, with the city providing up to $340,000. One scenario talked about at City Hall yesterday was a $500,000 limit for the bid, with the city matching all private money raised, to a limit of $250,000.

The deadline for bid proposals from each city is Nov. 1. The successful Canadian city will be picked in December. Then in 2006, the international phase of the competition goes ahead, with the final selection announced in October 2007. Glasgow, Scotland, is considered a serious contender for the 2014 games.

The Commonwealth Games is a high-profile international sports competition, involving 4,500 athletes from 72 countries.

The first games, known as the British Empire Games, were held in Hamilton in 1930, when city council spent $30,000 to help athletes cover travel costs. The games are played every four years. Vancouver hosted them in 1954, Edmonton in 1978 and Victoria in 1994.

Cities and countries go to extraordinary lengths and expense for the right to be the host, a point not lost on Ottawa. In the 1980s, Ottawa, led by then-mayor Jim Durrell, worked hard to win the 1994 Commonwealth Games, promising a $145-million project -- the biggest of the games proposals -- with financial support from the federal and provincial governments.

Venues were to include a refurbished Lansdowne Park for an impressive opening ceremonies. Ottawa spent $240,000 on that bid and was supremely confident it would win. Then Victoria's more modest bid, out of the blue, knocked Ottawa out of the running.

Councillor Gord Hunter said the extraordinary effort of that bid, and being beaten by an unlikely competitor, made him uneasy about the site selection process. "Once burnt, I'm a little bit shy," said Mr. Hunter. Mr. Durrell "had us all convinced we were going to win the games, and then, bam. It was like walking into a garden and being hit by a rake."

Mr. Hunter said the Commonwealth Games would be a great opportunity to have new sports facilities built, or old ones renovated. He views Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, a legacy of the 1978 games, as the best football stadium in the CFL.

When Manchester, England, won the right to hold the 2002 Commonwealth Games, it used the opportunity to redevelop parts of the city, including the construction of a $195-million, 38,000-seat stadium that would become the home of the Manchester City Football Club.

Mr. Hunter said the games would also be a great opportunity to build Ottawa's community spirit, involving thousands of volunteers, doing everything from directing traffic to taking tickets. Still, Mr. Hunter is reluctant to spend a lot of municipal tax money on the bid.

Of the other cities competing, Hamilton would seem to have the best odds. Hamilton bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, beating out other Canadian cities to become Canada's choice. It had big-time political support from its then-Liberal cabinet minister, Sheila Copps.

In 2003, the Ontario and federal governments pledged $250 million each for the Hamilton games. The original scale of the games project, $381 million, grew to $715 million, but there was stalwart political support.

Then, at a meeting in Jamaica to pick the winning city, the Canadians were left astonished when India won the competition by promising a $100,000 dividend to each Commonwealth Games association if New Delhi was picked. Many of the associations were in dire need of money. Hamilton lost the vote, 46-22.

Hamilton, in the running once again, is likely to see its bid costs go up. The Manchester games in 2002 won rave reviews from athletes and spectators, but cost something approaching $1 billion to stage.

Melbourne is preparing for an ambitious Commonwealth Games in March next year. The official cost of those games has been set at about $1 billion, with $642 million from Australia's Victoria state government and the balance from ticket sales, merchandise, television rights and sponsorships. But officials have been criticized for not releasing enough information about the costs and benefits of the games, according to the Australian Financial Review.

Another Australian publication, The Age, reported this summer the true cost of the games won't be known until late next year, but will certainly be much higher.
 
#8 ·
Wed, August 17, 2005
City set to ante up for 2014 Games bid
By JOHN STEINBACHS, Ottawa Sun

A city committee has given its blessing and a $275,000 commitment to a committee trying to secure the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The city's corporate services committee yesterday approved a plan to the give the Ottawa bid committee more than half the $500,000 it says it might need to bid on the 2014 Games.

"I think we have as good a shot (at winning the Games) if not better than everybody else," said Mayor Bob Chiarelli.

The mayor and Coun. Maria McRae also became part of the bid committee.

The money will be used to mount a bid to secure the right to be the Canadian choice to host the Games. It's been more than a decade since a North American city won the Games. Some believe it's Canada's turn to host the event.


'GOOD OPPORTUNITY'

If Ottawa won the Canadian competition, it would then have to compete against international cities for the Games.

"We're pretty pleased," said Cyril Leeder, a member of the Ottawa bid committee and general manager of the Corel Centre.

"We think we've got a pretty good opportunity for the city. It's really up there as one of the great events."

While the city is promising cash, the bid committee said it has so far found mostly "in kind" offers from the private sector, which stands to gain the most from a successful bid.

That means instead of cash, the private sector would offer to use expertise to work on the bid.

Leeder told the committee Ottawa could expect a major economic boost in both the construction and tourism industries if the city landed the Games.

The Games' committee estimated the economic spinoffs in the neighbourhood of $1.4 billion, with new construction and new tourists arriving before during and after the Games. That would include federal and provincial dollars for infrastructure.

Before any Games could be held, the city would need to build a new athletic centre and refurbish old ones. "A lot of our facilities need upgrading," said Leeder.

BITTER TASTE FROM '94

Among the needs would be 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.

Ottawa bid for the 1994 Commonwealth Games, but lost to Victoria, B.C., leaving a bad taste in the mouths of many residents.

"We hope to learn from previous bids and move forward," said Leeder.

Before the city forks over the $275,000, it needs the approval of full council.

For many councillors, giving the money to the committee was worth the risk of losing the bid. "You have to invest money up front if you want to reap the reward," said Coun. Rainer Bloess.
 
#9 ·
It's been pretty quiet on the C'Wealth bid front...
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October 19, 2005
Games could cost city $75M
Report on 2014 Team Commonwealth bid
By DEREK PUDDICOMBE, Ottawa Sun
A SUCCESSFUL bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games could cost the city $75 million.

That would be the city's portion of the estimated $720 million bill for the Games that would be split among the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

If the Games are a flop and the city is swimming in a sea of red, it will be on the hook for any loss.

"The requirement for the city is to fund any deficit," said Cyril Leeder, a member of the Ottawa bid committee and chief operating officer of the Ottawa Senators.

The city has already committed $275,000 to helping secure the event.

Leeder and other members of the bid committee provided the city's Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee with a progress report yesterday, which has until Nov. 1 to submit its official bid to the Commonwealth Games Canada bid committee.

RETROFIT AND RENOVATE

Three other cities competing for the Games are Halifax, Hamilton and York Region.

Leeder added the city's $75-million tab would include retrofitting and renovating all of its current sports facilities, including the Corel Centre, that would be used during the Games to meet the demands and requirements of the event.

He also told Mayor Bob Chiarelli that if the city was serious in bidding for the Games, it would have to be prepared to build new aquatic and track and field facilities.

From the $720-million price tag, $605 million would come from the public sector with the balance coming from revenues generated by the Games.

But Leeder and the city's economic development officer, Michael Murr, don't foresee any deficit if the city gets the Games.

The committee suggested that the economic impact to the nation's capital could soar past $1 billion when the spinoffs from new construction and visitors are factored in.

Murr also said Ottawa's profile would be raised tremendously as about 1 billion people will tune into the games from around the world.

"It's equal to millions of dollars worth of marketing efforts," said Murr.

A major criterion for a successful bid is generating a significant legacy fund. Any profits from the games go directly into a fund that ultimately is funneled back into the host community.

The Ottawa bid committee expects the 10-day multisport event would leave about $95 million in city coffers.

City council will vote on moving the bid forward to the next stage on Oct. 26. Ottawa last bid for the Games in 1994, but lost to Victoria, B.C. The winning bid for the 2014 Games will be announced on Dec. 15 in Toronto.

BY THE NUMBERS

Some facts regarding the Commonwealth Games:

- 1 billion television viewers

- 10,000 volunteers

- 7,000 athletes and team officials

- 1,200 members of the media

- 1,000 technical officials

- 600 staff

- Third-largest multi-sport event in the world
 
#10 ·
City endorses Commonwealth Games bid
By Ottawa Business Journal Staff
Thu, Oct 27, 2005 10:00 AM EST

City Council has given its blessing to a bid by Ottawa to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The bid committee was granted $75 million of city financial support between now and 2014 to add to contributions from the federal and provincial governments, Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and corporate sponsors.

"Ottawa is a natural choice for hosting a high-profile event like the Commonwealth Games," says John Kelly, co-chair of the committee. "It will showcase the city's many attractions to people around the world, as well as add a significant boost to the local economy."

The Commonwealth Games would bring over 6,000 athletes, coaches and team officials from 71 countries to the city. It also entails building or upgrading several local sport facilities.

The bid must be submitted to Canada's Commonwealth Games organization by Nov. 1. Halifax, Hamilton and York Region near Toronto are also in the running. A decision will be announced Dec. 15 in Toronto.

The successful Canadian city will then compete against Nigeria and Scotland to host the 2014 Games, with a final decision announced in the fall of 2007.
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October 27, 2005
Council game for bid
City to commit $75 million if Ottawa lands 2014 Commonwealth Games
By DEREK PUDDICOMBE, Ottawa Sun
CITY COUNCIL last night voted to commit $75 million towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games if Ottawa is the successful bidder.

Council approved the money late last night after Cyril Leeder, a member of the Ottawa bid committee and chief operating officer of the Ottawa Senators, gave councillors an overview of what the Games would mean if they come to Ottawa.

"It's a low risk with a high reward and I told them it's something they shouldn't pass up," said Leeder.

Taking into consideration the cost of inflation, Leeder also told council the $720-million price tag for the Games has jumped to $835 million.

The rest of the cost will be split among the federal and provincial governments and revenues generated by the Games.

The city previously committed $275,000 to helping secure the event.

Leeder and his committee have until next Tuesday to submit their official bid to the Commonwealth Games Canada bid committee.

3 OTHER BIDDERS

Other bidders for the Games are Halifax, Hamilton and York Region.

Leeder was part of a team in the late 1980s that was successful in bringing the Senators franchise to the city, and winning the Games would compare to bringing the NHL back to the city, he said.

"The Commonwealth Games is a world-class event and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Leeder.

A major criterium for a successful bid is generating a significant legacy fund. Any profits from the Games would go directly into a fund that ultimately funnels money back into the host community.

The Ottawa bid committee projects the 10-day event would leave about $95 million in city coffers.

Ottawa last bid for the Games in 1994, but lost to Victoria, B.C. The winning bid for the 2014 Games will be announced Dec. 15 in Toronto.a
 
#11 ·
Ottawa submits official bid for Games
By Ottawa Business Journal Staff
Tue, Nov 1, 2005 1:00 PM EST

The Ottawa 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid Committee gathered today to officially submit its domestic bid, promising a significant economic and sports legacy for the city.

The bid committee says Ottawa will benefit from a creation of legacy funds for sports facilities and infrastructure, as well as the realization of more than $1 billion in direct spending and surges in employment, hotel room bookings and annual repeat visitors.

"When Ottawa hosts the 20th Commonwealth Games, you'll see a number of facilities built and others you're already familiar with will be upgraded and improved," says Cyril Leeder, committee co-chair and chief operating officer for the Ottawa Senators. "We're likely to see a sparkling and refurbished Frank Clair Stadium, a new 10-lane international pool, upgrades to fields across the community, a fieldhouse, a spectacular athlete's village and an international broadcasting centre."

Mr. Leeder adds that the Games would create more than 6,000 full-time job equivalents and attract 100,000 visitors, half of which will be international. One billion people are also expected to watch the sports coverage on television.

"Because we're a G8 capital city, the eyes of the world are already on Ottawa for many great reasons," says John Kelly, committee co-chair and chair of NexInnovations. "We are ready to take on the challenge of bringing the Games to Ottawa among an impressive list of domestic and international competitors. The economic benefits to our city as host would complement significant social benefits."

The bid committee was granted $75 million of city financial support between now and 2014 to add to contributions from the federal and provincial governments, Carleton University, University of Ottawa, and corporate sponsors.The Commonwealth Games would bring over 6,000 athletes, coaches and team officials from 71 countries to the city.

The committee has submitted its 750-page document, which will compete with similar bids from Halifax, Hamilton and the Regional Municipality of York. A decision on the domestic bid winner will be announced on Dec. 15. The successful Canadian city will then compete against Nigeria and Scotland to host the 2014 Games, with a final decision announced in the fall of 2007.
 
#12 ·
I'd like to see a brand new stadium at the Hurdman fields instead of renovating Lansdowne Park. A Hurdman location would be much much more accessible by public transport since it is a transitway hub, plus it is close to the Queensway. If a world-class sports facility were built there, I would dare say that Ottawa could hold the Olympics in the future :)
 
#13 ·
systematica said:
I'd like to see a brand new stadium at the Hurdman fields instead of renovating Lansdowne Park. A Hurdman location would be much much more accessible by public transport since it is a transitway hub, plus it is close to the Queensway. If a world-class sports facility were built there, I would dare say that Ottawa could hold the Olympics in the future :)
But you'd need two venues built at Hurdman, a replacement for both the Civic Centre and Frank Clair Park, since you'd have to demolish all the buildings at Landsdowne if they're being replaced.

It wouldn't be that hard to replace those stadiums since the land they sit on would be worth major money if they were sold for housing.

And the location for Landsdowne does suck. People complain about the location of the Corel Centre but I found going to a Sens game in the early days at the Civic Centre far more frustrating then going to the Corel Centre.

As for the Olympics, I don't think so.
 
#14 ·
BlackRedGold said:
But you'd need two venues built at Hurdman, a replacement for both the Civic Centre and Frank Clair Park, since you'd have to demolish all the buildings at Landsdowne if they're being replaced.

It wouldn't be that hard to replace those stadiums since the land they sit on would be worth major money if they were sold for housing.

And the location for Landsdowne does suck. People complain about the location of the Corel Centre but I found going to a Sens game in the early days at the Civic Centre far more frustrating then going to the Corel Centre.

As for the Olympics, I don't think so.
Fantasy Idea:

Make the hurdman fields/Rideau river park a new complex with higher end highrises and the brandnew 21,000 seat home of the Ottawa Senators, plus an entirely indoor transitway station. It would have quick transit and car access downtown, as well as many auto routes to the game (Queensway, Nicholas/altavista, Vanier/riverside, Industrial/Innes) and all the major bus routes going there. Transit would be free with your Senators game-night ticket. The area would be multi-use, with facilities for Hurdman/Lees/UofO residents (olympic size pool, new Ottawa public library, retail connected with the trainlands development, preserving of a lot of the greenspace)

Move the 67s to the Corel Centre.Then the Civic centre and the area beside it would be converted to a parking garage, and the current parking lots could be turned into both a landsdowne expansion and also residential developement and retail.

Then bid for the Olympics and go bankrupt ;)
 
#15 ·
November 17, 2005
'Good day' for Games backers
By NELLY ELAYOUBI, OTTAWA SUN
Local supporters of Ottawa's bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games were optimistic yesterday that they had put on a good show for a site selection committee.

Three members of the Commonwealth Games site selection committee toured the capital yesterday to assess the compliance of various sites with the Games' technical criteria.

"Today was a good day. I believe that Ottawa and our bid made a good impression," said John Kelly, co-chairman of Ottawa's bid committee.

SPORTING 2014 LOGO

Donning long-sleeved grey shirts featuring the "Ottawa 2014" logo on the front, a panel that included tourism, city and sporting representation boasted all that Ottawa had to offer.

Eight sites that included "world-class venues" as well as non-accommodation sites were on the list. But the panel remained tight-lipped about specifics, citing Games guidelines that forbid such disclosure.

"I'm very proud of our bid and what we showcased today," Kelly said.

Coun. Maria McRae was quick to reiterate council's unanimous support for the bid. The city has pledged $75 million if Ottawa is the successful bidder for the Games.

"Ottawa has the highest per capita of volunteers than any other city in the entire country," McRae said.

She reiterated that the Games would not only shine the spotlight on Ottawa, but would also boost the local economy.
 
#16 ·
November 20, 2005
City put to Games test
By JESSICA HALLAM, OTTAWA SUN
Commonwealth Games bid reviewers concluded another round of site visits in the capital yesterday, checking out about 20 venues in seven hours.

They assessed athletic facilities, accommodations and conference centres. Bid guidelines require specifics be kept under wraps.

"I am really proud of our bid and what we showcased," said John Kelly, co-chairman of Ottawa's 2014 bid committee.

"Specialists saw firsthand the enthusiasm of our local athletes and the community's desire (to host the Games)."

Three other Canadian locales -- Halifax, Hamilton and York Region -- are also on the selecting committee's circuit. Ottawa will be visited again on Dec. 9, days before the winning bid is announced Dec. 15.

'ENCOURAGED' BY VISIT

Commonwealth Games officials zoned in on technological criteria yesterday, said Senators chief operating officer Cyril Leeder, who sits on the bid committee.

"The last visit on Wednesday was concentrated specifically on the technicalities of sport," said Leeder. "I'm encouraged by what we heard (yesterday) -- we had a good rapport with the people that were here."

The Commonwealth Games are the third-largest multi-sports event in the world and would generate an estimated $1 billion in economic activity for Ottawa.

The city has pledged $75 million if Ottawa wins the Games.
 
#17 ·
:( Halifax was my second choice
_______________________________
Halifax granted Commonwealth bid
Dec. 15, 2005. 10:26 AM
JIM BYERS
SPORTS REPORTER

Just look east to find Canada's bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A panel of Canadian Games officials this morning announced that Halifax had defeated three other municipalities and will carry the Canadian flag at the 2007 vote on where to stage the 2014 Games.

York Region, Hamilton and Ottawa also put in bids to be the Canadian representative on the 2014 ballot, which won't be in front of the international Commonwealth Games Federation until it meets in Sri Lanka in October, 2007.

Hamilton was the Canadian bid for the 2010 Games after defeating Halifax on the Canadian ballot. But international voters chose New Delhi over Hamilton for 2010, setting the stage for another Hamilton try.

Glasgow is also bidding for the 2014 Games, along with Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. Nigeria's bid could have the edge as the Commonwealth Games have never been staged in Africa.

The 1994 Games were held in Victoria and the 1998 Games in Kuala Lumpur. Manchester had the honours in 2002, while the 2006 version will be staged next March in Melbourne.

York Region bid chair Bill Crothers said the Commonwealth Games don't have the same reputation as the Olympics but that the 2014 Games will be bigger than the Winter Olympics, with up to 7,000 athletes from 72 countries playing more than a dozen sports.

Officials have said it could cost up to $1 billion to stage the Commonwealth Games in Canada if infrastructure costs are included. It's expected that senior levels of government will help pay most of the bill.

Hamilton staged the first Commonwealth Games in 1930, when they were known as the British Empire Games. They were held in Vancouver in 1954 and Edmonton in 1978.
 
#19 ·
Wednesday » December 28 » 2005

The day Ottawa lost a golden opportunity
Sport and recreational facilities would have received millions in upgrades if the city had won the Commonwealth Games bid. But it didn't. Richard Starnes looks at what might have been.

Richard Starnes
The Ottawa Citizen

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Two weeks ago, Ottawa lost its chance to host the Commonwealth Games and with it a legacy worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

"These sort of opportunities for improving the infrastructure in your community are few and far between," said Bob O'Doherty, who spent three hectic months as executive director and bid manager for Ottawa's Games bid. Halifax was selected as the bid city.

Mr. O'Doherty cannot put an exact figure on how big the economic impact would have been. But he knows Hamilton, which last time won the Canadian stage of the bid process, made known it would have benefited to the tune of $1.4 billion had it won the international battle for the 2010 Games.

"We can assume that, since these Games were for 2014, that figure would have been at least that, if not higher," he said.

When you discover that the total budget for Ottawa to stage the event was to have been $900 million, it is easier to understand what makes the Commonwealth Games one of the world's largest sporting events.

Holding an event of this size allows a city to showcase itself to massive worldwide audiences, which is partly the reason that federal and provincial governments are prepared to provide major funding help. In this case, it would probably have been $250 million each.

Pat Reid, a key figure with Mr. O'Doherty in putting together the bid, calls it "the dare to dream" project, and he has a clear understanding of the size of the benefits that will not be.

Possibly the most spectacular lost legacy is the resurrection of the Nepean Sportsplex. That expansion would have cost something in the region of $72 million. The place would have been unrecognizable from the existing complex, which began life in 1973 at a cost of $5.25 million.

The most expensive part of the revamp -- at $50 million -- would have been the most visible. First, the existing lawn bowling rink and clubhouse was to be knocked down. Then a major extension would have been attached to the existing end wall of the current swimming pool. It would have stretched outward toward Woodroffe Avenue and south, consuming a playing field.

Inside was to be a dream facility for swimmers and divers. It would have included a 10-lane, 50-metre world class pool and an international standard dive tank. There would also have been a specially equipped gymnasium training area and 10 one- and three-metre diving boards.

"This would have been a legitimate national training centre for swimming and diving," Mr. Reid said.

Elsewhere on the site, plans were in place for the current Minto Field to spawn a twin -- a second artificial surface over which a bubble would probably have been raised. There would have been bleachers between the two fields with seating for 3,000, along with changing rooms. Almost $10 million was to have been spent on this venue, which would have hosted field hockey, a major Commonwealth Games event.

The legacy here would have been two multi-purpose fields and a high performance component for development of field hockey.

In the other back corner of the site -- backing onto Hunt Club where a soccer field currently sits -- another $10 million or so would have been spent. The plan, according to Mr. Reid, was to construct four international lawn bowls rinks along with a clubhouse and seating for about 2,500 spectators.

"The present bowls club, which would have been lost because of the footprint of the new pool, would have moved there and it would have been available for all the other clubs across the city," Mr. Reid said.

"We hoped the clubs would run the place and include a youth component. In the Commonwealth Games two Games ago, 21-year-olds from Australia won gold. Right now, there is a geriatric branding attached to the sport. We hoped this would change that. This game is similar to curling, and maybe this would finally have turned curlers into lawn bowlers.

In the case of the Steve Yzerman arena in the Nepean Sportsplex -- that was where badminton was scheduled -- spectators would have noticed a distinct change in comfort levels. All seating around the arena was to have been permanently replaced with padded and numbered seats.

Few would argue the benefits of some sort of magic renovation wand being waved over Lansdowne Park. The Games would have been the fairy godmother. Here's what was planned:

- The south stand would have been knocked down, moved back and rebuilt. It would have been a state-of-the-art structure, fully roofed and filled with the most modern technology, TV and press facilities, corporate boxes, modern changing facilities and an all-new Renegades office complex.

- Moving the stand back would have allowed for construction of an eight-lane, international-standard, 400-metre track. Temporary semi-circular stands would have allowed for 50,000 seats during the Games. Once they were removed, the stadium would comfortably house 30,000 spectators. All this, along with architect-designed matching roofing on the north and south stands, would have cost $125 million.

- It would also have spelled the end for the Coliseum, the current Renegade offices, and all those buildings in that cluster. They would all have been flattened and a 120,000-square-foot international broadcast centre would have risen in their place.

Once the Games were finished, the building would have provided ideal space for trade shows, major sporting events or concerts -- in short, a multi-purpose facility. The cost for this was set at a little under $25 million.

- Both the Civic Centre and the Aberdeen Pavilion would have been revamped. There was $2 million set aside for each. Regulars to the Civic Centre would have hardly recognized the place, even though work would have concentrated on retro-fitting -- another word for sprucing up. The arena, which would have staged boxing and wrestling, would have been dominated by a massive banner, stretching from one end to the other of the shorter, northern side.

The Terry Fox facility would also have undergone lasting changes. The plan was to take a warm-up athletics track which, during the Games, would have sat in the parking lot next to the Aberdeen Pavilion, and install it where the upper soccer field is currently situated. It would sit under a permanent bubble with changing rooms.

Mr. Reid said the building currently sitting in the corner of the lower field would have been flattened and replaced with something four times the size.

"There would be new men's and women's changing rooms and showers, an admin headquarters and a second-deck, glass-faced coaches' lounge facing the track."

Ottawa Lions athletics director Andy McInnes offered a cautionary word about the lost bid.

"Renovation of Terry Fox would have had to be done well before the Games, regardless of whether we won the bid," he said. "If we had got the Games, we would have got the A-package. Now that we don't have them, we'll get the D-package."

Ottawa's universities would also have been involved.

Carleton was going to act as the athletes' village for the Games.

"This was a great opportunity, no doubt about it," said university president David Atkinson. "But it was exactly that, an opportunity that comes along once in a long time. If it worked, that was great. Sadly, it didn't, but the university will continue to operate to its plans. But certainly, this would have been a big bonus for us."

Mr. O'Doherty said 6,000 beds were required for the Games, and his bid committee and the university had cut a deal by which $80 million would have been spent on four new buildings, with each party contributing $40 million. After the Games, three of the buildings would have become residences, while the fourth would have been used for generic academic space.

Mr. Atkinson said a number of the buildings already were scheduled to be built to deal with an expanding student need over the next eight to 10 years, and the failure of the bid will not alter that.

"This was a grand opportunity for the university to build something it needed, and benefit from the financial support from the Games," he said.

"But we were happy to be involved. As a university, we felt we had to be involved. We are a major institution in this city outside government, and we had an obligation to be involved. It's a shame we lost, but you can't win if you don't try."

Down the road at the University of Ottawa, the plan was to build a major fieldhouse on National Capital Commission property where Sandy Hill Arena, a softball field and parking facilities sit today. The Games organizers and the university would have split the $30-million price tag for a building that would have hosted the netball and squash competitions.

The physical legacy would have been considerable, because the building would have been able to accommodate 4,000 spectators for major court events -- particularly basketball and volleyball. In addition, it would have included a 200-metre indoor track.

"That would have meant the University of Ottawa would have had a full track and field program, which right now neither university has," Mr. Reid said.

The university's athletic director, Luc Gelineau, is most disappointed about the lost opportunity to develop facilities to allow for the creation of a regional high-performance centre for a variety of sports. He envisioned a place where the facilities would have attracted top-quality coaches and sports psychology professors.

"Calgary became a high-performance centre after the winter Olympics there. I saw that sort of legacy here, a place national team athletes would pick because it offered the best facilities."

A top-of-the-line, international-standard race track, ideal for training and for competition, would have been the legacy for cycling enthusiasts.

"The original plan was to put the track inside the Corel Centre," said Peter Tyler, former president of the Canadian Cycling Association and president of Bike Race Ottawa. "But this could not meet the international requirements, so the (planned) venue was switched to Lynx Stadium.

"After the Games, the track would have been donated to the cycling community to go under a bubble somewhere in South Ottawa."

Mr. Tyler said he and others had been working on development of a bubble-covered track for some time. Donation of the track would have accelerated that plan.

A number of places dotted through the region would have benefited to the tune of $2 million or so. That would have included Camp Fortune, where mountain biking would have been contested, the Connaught Range for shooting competitions and the NAC, which would have hosted weightlifting.

There would be no structural legacy from the use of the newly expanded Congress Centre. But there would have been benefits from equipment being passed on to table tennis, judo and badminton organizations.

The many gymnasts in the region would have received a mouthwatering, major legacy -- three legacies, in fact. The event was to be held in the Corel Centre with two training areas -- one for rhythmic, one for artistic -- in the parking lot.

For that, special raised floors are required to meet the sport's rules. But they are expensive. So expensive, according to Mr. Reid, that they are in woeful short supply in Canada.

"Right now, for the national championships, we have to borrow a floor from the United States. If the Games had got the go-ahead, we would have had three on our hands."
 
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