The City of Airdrie will welcome members of the Western Canada Summer Games Bid Selection Committee on May 31, for the community’s latest effort in its bid to host the 2015 Games.
The group will tour proposed facilities, including Chinook Winds Park, Woodside Golf Course and Genesis Place, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend to show support for the bid, while they can also pick up car placards at City Hall and Genesis Place.
Airdrie is one of five Alberta municipalities along with Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Lakeland County, vying to host the 2015 event.
“For Airdrie, these games will showcase the best young athletes in Western Canada and could be the pinnacle of our sporting event hosting thus far,” said Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity to host the athletes and their families. The WCSG are only two steps away from the Olympics for young athletes as they move from here to the Canada Games and then on to the Olympics. Hosting these games poses a great opportunity for Airdrie to showcase what an amazing community can do to make these games great.”
The 2015 WCSG will showcase 18 sports: athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, volleyball, tennis, triathlon, wrestling, badminton, cycling, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, judo, rowing (at Calgary’s Glenmore Reservoir), swimming (at Calgary’s Talisman Centre) and canoe/kayak (at Calgary’s Glenmore Reservoir).
“We’re asking supporters to wear blue or green and bring signs expressing their support of Airdrie’s bid for the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games,” said Linda Bruce, Chair of the Western Canada Summer Games Bid Committee. “The community’s support is vital to Airdrie’s success in being chosen to host the games.”
The WCSG, which had its inaugural event hosted by Regina in 1975, are attended by the four western provinces and three territories.
Alberta has hosted the event twice: 1983 in Calgary and in Strathcona County in 2007.
“There are enormous long-term benefits to our community in hosting these games,” Bruce said.
“We have a chance to create opportunities for our local athletes through the legacy left from the games including equipment upgrades, facility upgrades and new facilities. As well, there is potential for an economic spin-off in the range of $8 million to $10 million. It also helps local sporting organizations by giving them experience and building the capacity to host large events.”
