Airdrie has done what it can.
Now the decision lies in the hands of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Minister Cindy Ady.
The city’s bid to host the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games had its final inspection on May 31, as three selection committee board members toured a series of proposed facilities, including Genesis Place.
“Every community is different and every community has its pros and cons,” said selection committee chairman Alfred Fisher. “Airdrie has tremendous facilities and they’re very new – it looks like they were all built yesterday. The Genesis Place here is truly an amazing place. It’s very compact and has everything you need right here.”
The committee visited Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, two of the other potential hosts on May 30, Airdrie on May 31, a joint bid Cold Lake and Bonnyville on June 1 and the fifth candidate, Fort McMurray, on June 2.
An announcement is expected by the end of June.
“We do them all in the same timeframe so it’s all a fair comparison,” Fisher said. “We have a very elaborate scoring system. We rank them and then at end, we make a recommendation, which has to go to the board of the foundation for their approval. Then, their approval and recommendation goes to the minister, who has the final word.”
The 2015 WCSG will showcase 18 sports: athletics, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, volleyball, tennis, triathlon, wrestling, badminton, cycling, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, judo, rowing, swimming and canoe/kayak.
The selection criteria include a feasible study of the proposed facilities, the potential host’s financial stability and the level of volunteers and the organizing committee.
“The tour has been phenomenal, the facilities look great and the enthusiasm at every facility by all the people, I think has really impressed this group,” said Linda Bruce, chair of Airdrie’s bid committee.
“I think we’ve done, as a community, a stellar, stand-up job. It was a lot of hard work and took a lot of people to make it happen. A lot of hours went into this and we’re phenomenally happy with the way it came off today. Now, it’s out of our hands. It’s up to the decision-makers and I’m sure that they will see the wisdom of choosing Airdrie.”
“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 group began its tour at École Edwards Elementary, where students came out to sing and wave flags. They also saw the Chinook Winds Park and Woodside Golf Course.
With a potential economic spinoff of $8-to-$10 million, Bruce said she is confident that Airdrie will standout in the minds of the committee and the minister.
“We have access to all of the facilities that are needed. Nothing has to be built for the Games that haven’t already been slated, whereas some of the other communities would have to build,” she said.
“The other standout aspect is that we’re centrally located. We’re in the perfect place to make this the extended family holiday because we’re in vacation alley. Back in the ‘90s, there were always invitations to bid on a Games. We knew were not ready and didn’t have the facilities. We purposely have been developing our facilities and our community for things like this. We are more than ready.”
