BOWDEN - The Canada Winter Games organizing committee is hoping Bowden will help fund, participate in, and provide volunteers for the event, which takes place in Red Deer Feb.15 to March 3, 2019.
Organizing committee chair Lyn Radford, chief executive officer Scott Robinson and vice-chair Hugh McPherson made that pitch to Bowden town council last week.
Radford said the Games have a $34-million budget, two-thirds of which is being funded by various levels of government.
She suggested the Town of Bowden could help cover that cost by chipping in money on a per-resident basis. She suggested $5 per person, but added that could be negotiable.
In return, the town could be a stop on the torch relay route and could get other perks, like a day where Bowden and its attractions are highlighted during an arts and culture festival, which will run along with the Games.
ìIt would be an opportunity for your corporate sector in your community (if) they want to come display their wares or show that they have particular job opportunities, or they could have a little trade show for that day, but that day would be catered towards Bowden,î Radford said.
ìWe're always open to further, bigger, other suggestions,î she added. ìEach community has different needs in their community or have bigger goals in their strategic plans that they want to meet and if we can help you do that with the Games, we certainly want to have that discussion with you also.î
The delegation pointed out that more than 3,600 people are expected to participate in the 18-day event, and the Games as a whole are expected to have an economic impact of more than $132 million.
Robinson said more than 20,000 visitors are expected to visit Central Alberta during the Games. He predicted they'll spend money in various businesses in the area, including restaurants, hotels and gas stations.
Radford said town officials will have an opportunity to obtain accreditation and thus have a chance to meet with representatives of Games sponsors ìthat might be looking at putting their offices in another municipality.î
She noted the prime minister will officially open the Games and other dignitaries, like the premier, will be on hand as well.
Radford said the town could help supply volunteers. She said they have about 100 volunteers helping plan the Games now. By the time the Games occur, they will need about 5,000 to help stage them.
McPherson said Bowden residents will benefit from Games legacies, including upgraded facilities and infrastructure in Red Deer, including improvements to Red Deer College, athletic facilities and the new south Red Deer interchange.
He also said volunteers who help plan or run the Games will gain valuable experience they can bring back to run events in Bowden.
The delegation stressed the Canada Winter Games are staged in so many communities across Canada that it's literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the community, because the Games are not likely to come back here for a couple of decades or so.
Town council agreed to take the presentation as information.
"It would be an opportunity for your corporate sector in your community (if) they want to come display their wares or show that they have particular job opportunities."LYN RADFORD CHAIR 2019 CANADA WINTER GAMES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
