Decision on hosting Games must be a quick one
Whitehorse has been asked to host the 2026 Arctic Winter Games.
Whitehorse has been asked to host the 2026 Arctic Winter Games.
The invitation was presented to city council at its meeting Tuesday evening.
A preliminary budget has been set at $9.5 million.
The city, according to the administrative report presented to council, would be expected to contribute $250,000 as well as $500,000 in in-kind services.
The invitation to host the Games is scheduled to be back before council at its meeting Monday.
Russia had been slated to host in 2026, but the country’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has precluded that.
Coun. Ted Laking told his colleagues he would be prepared to support Whitehorse hosting the Games provided the Yukon government commits to covering any cost overruns.
The administrative report says host societies normally receive grants from the federal government (Heritage Canada-Sport Canada), together with territorial governments, and host municipalities, which may include in-kind donations.
In recent years, says the report, the cost of hosting the Games has ranged from $7 million to more than $13 million.
Using the information from the 2020 budget and audited financial statements, it’s estimated the 2026 Games would cost $9.55 million – reflecting a 22 per cent increase over the budgeted costs for 2020.
Whitehorse had been scheduled to host the 2020 Games but they were cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report notes the city’s financial contribution would be consistent with previous years, and would come forward for approval under the budget process.
The $9.55 million represents an early preliminary budget.
The amounts indicated could change, depending on the funding provided by both the federal and territorial governments, any additional revenues and market challenges.
The final budget would be developed by the host society once it’s formed.
The report says if council is willing to proceed, the next step would be to advise the Yukon government that the city will consider hosting the Games subject to the government committing to provide $4 million in funding, plus in-kind staff support as required by the host society.
The government would also have to commit to underwrite any deficit incurred by the host society in order for the city to agree to host the Games, says the report.
According to preliminary cost estimates, the federal operating grant would be $1.55 million with no in-kind services.
The territorial operating grant would be $4 million, along with $350,000 in in-kind services.
The municipal grant would be $250,000, along with $500,000 in in-kind support for use of city facilities and staff time.
Additional revenues through sales and sponsorship are expected to generate $2.25 million, along with $650,000 in in-kind services.
It says the commitments would need to be confirmed by July 28, prior to the July 31 deadline to commit to the Games.
The report says the timeframe still allows time for discussion and negotiation, including sport selection and any other area within the contract developed with the Arctic Winter Games International Committee and the host society once it’s formed.
The administrative recommendation being considered by council says that council should advise the Yukon government that the city is willing to host the Games, subject to the receipt of a government financial commitment and other commitments by July 28.
The administrative recommendation also authorizes city administration to enter into negotiations with the international committee.
The Games are held every two years, and are rotated through the participating countries.
The Northwest Territories, originally slated to host the Games in 2028, was approached with the possibility of advancing its hosting role, but declined the opportunity.
The Yukon government received a letter last month from the International Committee with an invitation to host the 2026 Games in Whitehorse. A response is required by July 31.
The administrative report notes that the 2020 Arctic Winter Games were expected to contribute approximately $5.7 to the territory’s economy. The figure is expected to rise for 2026, says the report.
It says the Games are an important opportunity for the approximately 3,000 young athletes, coaches and officials, and is key to sport development in the Yukon and circumpolar North, and can generate significant economic impact.
Comments (15)
Up 1 Down 0
John on Jul 11, 2023 at 3:37 pm
@ Bandit
They won't do that - ever. They CoW & YTG don't give a damn what the people want !!
Up 14 Down 1
Bandit on Jul 11, 2023 at 10:55 am
Simple,
Put it to a vote and stick with the outcome.
Up 38 Down 2
Apex Parasite on Jul 10, 2023 at 9:19 am
This is like planning an elaborate child's bday party with the last of the families savings.
Please pass....we have much more pressing issues to focus on without spending hard earned tax dollars combined with federal top ups to allow tommy to see if he can outrun billy....
Up 30 Down 2
Wayne on Jul 9, 2023 at 4:13 pm
No!
Up 30 Down 4
Matthew on Jul 8, 2023 at 7:24 pm
If the Mayor, Council, NDP, Liberals and volunteers want to personally pick up the tab only, then go ahead. Yeah, didnt think so..
Up 33 Down 4
Juniper Jackson on Jul 7, 2023 at 5:27 pm
2026..two years will not be enough time for Whitehorse, the Yukon to recover financially, or socially. The current sitting council has not fixed anything, and in fact, made matters worse. Land? Housing? taxes? crime? drugs? jobs? The cost of food has risen past most incomes ability to buy it. I heard that petty theft in the stores, especially Shopper's has skyrocketed. Fix stuff first huh? Games later. Just say NO!
Up 53 Down 3
Nathan Living on Jul 6, 2023 at 11:27 pm
Please pass.
The City ways seems to have cost overruns and there does not seem to be a good relationship between the mayor and GY.
If things go sideways Whitehorse residents will see tax increases.
Up 16 Down 17
Josey Wales on Jul 6, 2023 at 10:06 pm
Hmmm...
OK...two letters...as in here I go.
OKAY proper is 🤯 four letters, waaaaay too long time wise.
NO...two letters
Sigh...
YES...three letters, way longer than NO.
33 1/3 longer actually.
Quick ya needed?
Purdy Quick reads as NO, and YES you’re welcome.
Pontificate if you will, other than our subjugation as citizens...
When does anything happen “QUICK” in the realm of a political decision?
“QUICK” is five letters, even more than OKAY proper...huh?
Political Blowholes love letters, the more letters in their alphabet soup the happiest they are...clearly.
Funny though, recent term changes...elude to time being okay.
Like add, with your own rules, another year feeding from the trough between elections.
Despite the absolute NEED to purge cancer from our civic halls QUICK?
Seems when time is “of the essence” with the mere rubes, time seems as worthless as our CCofR&F.
No edits required, well within terms.
Gawd this town...we are so hooped 🤬
Up 45 Down 3
Gordon Of Riverdale on Jul 6, 2023 at 2:20 pm
BEEN THERE - DONE THAT !
Solve some of the local growing problems instead !!!!!!!!
Up 11 Down 62
Tracey on Jul 6, 2023 at 12:33 pm
All for it! Besides housing and roads, Yukoners need sport and cultural events and facilities to bring revenue into the territory, and to entertain and keep us active while we live here.
Up 70 Down 3
SH on Jul 6, 2023 at 11:12 am
The decision has to be made quick? In that case it may be best to decline the opportunity to host the games.
Up 34 Down 8
Jack on Jul 6, 2023 at 1:14 am
Anchored by the new $100m Piers McDonald arena !
Up 37 Down 12
Max Mack on Jul 5, 2023 at 9:11 pm
The decision must be a "quick one"? What kind of planning is this?
As for the invasion of Ukraine as the reason for revoking Russia's turn to host the AWG, it should be noted that Fairbanks hosted the 2014 AWG -- after the USA had recently invaded both Afghanistan & Iraq, not to mention the West's debacle (with the USA leading the charge) in Libya and Syria -- with both Afghanistan & Iraq still occupied by the USA in 2014. Funny how the games weren't moved then.
Up 66 Down 6
Erwin Glock on Jul 5, 2023 at 4:03 pm
How about fix the housing crisis, repair the roads, skip the yearly tax increase
and stop spending money like there is no tomorrow.
Up 62 Down 12
John on Jul 5, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Look - just pass on this one. Ted, et al, I know you think money grows on trees and the taxpayer is the bucket at the end of the rainbow - BUT here is a news flash - it and we are not (in that order).
After looking at the fiasco downtown these days, with little to no parking and virtually an empty space (that was to see hoards of people) between 2nd and 1st we definitely do not need yet another fiasco courtesy of the CoW.
So just forget it...