Whitehorse Daily Star

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Council hears more about making bid for Games

The City of Whitehorse and the Yukon government want to co-host the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

By Chuck Tobin on June 8, 2021

The City of Whitehorse and the Yukon government want to co-host the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

“The 2007 Whitehorse Canada Winter Games were an extremely successful event that had a lasting impact in Whitehorse’s sporting infrastructure, economy and sense of community,” says the administrative report presented to city council at its meeting Monday.

“Hosting the Canada Games would provide a rare opportunity for Yukon athletes to compete at a national level on their home territory and be cheered by their own community and families while participating in Canada’s largest multi-sport event.

“It would also be an incredible chance for local sports organizations to forge long-lasting relationships with partners across the country.”

Whitehorse hosted the 2007 Canada Winter Games.

City council is scheduled to vote next Monday on whether to pursue a bid for the 2027 Games.

To submit a bid, the city must send a letter to the Canada Games Council before June 30 indicating its intention to bid on the event.

The official bid launch should take place this fall, with the technical bid being due in January 2022 and the full bid due in July 2022, says the report.

The Canada Games Council’s review of the bids is scheduled for October 2022, with the award of the Games to be made in November 2022.

The city and the Yukon government are splitting the $60,000 non-refundable bid fee.

If successful, the partners would have to pay a hosting fee of $1.08 million, as well as commit to $3 million for capital expenditures.

The report notes there would be $9 million in capital expenditures required, with the city and the Yukon and federal governments each contributing $3 million.

Operational funding requirements would be in excess of $22 million, says the report.

Council is also being asked to appoint a bid committee.

In 2007, the city hosted more than 7,500 visitors who spent an estimated $8.7 million, mostly in the hospitality sector, says the report.

It says that according to the economic assessment, the 2007 Games contributed an estimated $75.2 million to the territory’s gross domestic product, and generated $176.7 million in economic activity.

“Bidding for the Canada Games is a significant undertaking,” says the administrative report. “It will require countless hours of volunteer and staff time from individuals with a variety of backgrounds from sport to marketing, from revenue generation to general accounting, from arts to infrastructure, and everything in between.

“The bid package will outline all aspects of co-hosting the Canada Winter Games, including but not limited to athletes’ accommodations, transportation, venues, revenue generation, volunteer recruitment as well as capital and operating funding.”

The administrative report notes the Canada Winter Games would also provide the opportunity to showcase Canada’s true North, it culture, heritage and community spirit.

Yukon artists would have the chance to perform in front of thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and guests from across the country.

The Canada Games Centre was built for the 2007 event, which attracted a visit from then-prime minister Stephen Harper.

Comments (9)

Up 9 Down 1

Complaining about taxes is frivolous on Jun 9, 2021 at 4:36 pm

No one here cares. We pay not even 1% of the money we get back from the fed. The question is how do we get more and more and more!

Up 11 Down 1

TMYK on Jun 9, 2021 at 2:05 pm

Why are the various levels of govt pretending like this isn’t already a done deal. Bureaucrats have confirmed that we will be hosting the games for over a year now. Yukon “University” has no interest in being involved as there is no FN angle they can peddle.

Up 10 Down 5

Nathan Living on Jun 9, 2021 at 10:36 am

The city has to be careful it represents taxpayers when bidding on the games. We the taxpayers do not need additional tax burden.

It's also important that the city consult with Mark Daniel's and the KSA for this association represents the largest number of Whitehorse residents. Maybe Council can meet with the KSA as a CWG advisory body.

Up 15 Down 4

Max Mack on Jun 9, 2021 at 10:07 am

2027 CWG? With the folks like Hanley in control of the country, does council actually believe that we will be out of their grip by 2027? Lockdowns and restrictions in perpetuity?

Sarcasm aside, I agree with Bill. This should not come at taxpayers' expense. Undoubtedly, CoW and GY will overstate benefits and understate costs to sell this on the public. I have little faith that our overlords will give us an honest accounting. This is all about the sell job.

Taxes and fees and penalties are sure to increase to cover this. But, by how much and for how long?
And let's not forget the huge burden placed on volunteers and the negative ripple effects on every other volunteer group.

Up 15 Down 4

Lost In the Yukon on Jun 9, 2021 at 7:48 am

Vanity project by those unaffected by rising property taxes ... and pulling down $100,000+ a year working for the City and YG. Go live on OAS, and struggle to keep your home before you consider foisting this tax burden on Whitehorse residence.

Up 14 Down 3

Vern Schlimbesser on Jun 8, 2021 at 8:10 pm

Looking at the council chambers in the photo above, I can't see the "rundown" part, nor any of the "really nasty, nasty stuff" that requires destroying this facility and replacing it with one that will be no more effective or efficient.
They want to spend 50 odd million (by the time it's done) say 1/3 coming from increased local taxes, when 1/20th of that would get us 20 more years service. Just saying, whose benefit is this council focused on?

Up 15 Down 5

Hmm; on Jun 8, 2021 at 5:58 pm

Rests chin on hands*
Okay, hear me out.
YG and COW push for this because in their next budget they get to use this as leverage in their argument for an increase in funding from the fed. "Well we need more money because we need to modernize some aging buildings + we need to have the capital to renovate and prepare! But don't worry, we'll get the money back after the games are over."

If you haven't noticed the Liberal trend/tactic it's very simple. "How can we get as much money from the fed as possible and spend it on the public service?"
See if 75% of the population is funded by gov (40% work for gov and 35% have some form of social assistance/welfare), then that means 75% of the money is going to be spent in those areas. The government's goal is to create the least difficult life as possible for the majority of people in the Yukon. Which is people that work for government. The problem is they don't realize where that money comes from. If The Yukon is ever forced to become a province, we'll have a rude awakening. An underaccomplishing overpaid workforce that lacks a ton of necessary work skills. Thumbs down by govies in 5 - 4 - 3 - 2

Up 14 Down 9

Matthew on Jun 8, 2021 at 5:33 pm

End this madness! It costs way more to host than it brings in.. but I guess this is liberal economics though..

Up 47 Down 7

Bill on Jun 8, 2021 at 2:33 pm

...and let's not forget that the Canada Games Centre ongoing O&M has been significant. So significant that the people of Whitehorse property taxes rose to cover those expenditures. Unless the City can guarantee an event that doesn't come at cost to Taxpayers I vote NO! My property taxes are high enough thank you.

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