THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay is set to compete to host the 2024 Ontario Winter Games.
City council voted unanimously to submit a bid on the city’s behalf Monday night, after hearing the Games could bring thousands of people to the city for what would be one of the largest events in its history.
However, the prospect of high travel costs to bring athletes to a remote part of the province was cited as a potential hurdle, while the city would need to contribute at least $250,000 if awarded the bid.
The Ontario Winter Games, held every two years since 1972, see the province’s top young athletes compete across roughly two dozen sports. Thunder Bay hosted them once before, in 1974.
The bid was recommended by the city’s Multi-sport Games Administrative Advisory Committee, which presented to councillors Monday.
Chair Dave Pineau pointed to the success of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games held here in February in arguing the city was well positioned as a host, and would reap benefits including an estimated $6 million economic impact.
“The Special Olympics Canada Winter Games certainly showed us we can mobilize the volunteer base that is required,” Pineau said.
The Games are expected to attract between 2,700 to 3,300 athletes, coaches, and team members, not accounting for family members who also often attend.
Coun. Peng You praised the bid effort, saying such events were important celebrations, and could build the profile of winter sports long after they’d ended.
“To bring positive energy to Thunder Bay always is good for our citizens,” he said.
However, some councillors questioned whether the usual number of participants would make their way north to Thunder Bay, given increased travel costs.
Host cities are required to provide travel subsidies to assist participants. That cost this year’s host, Orillia, around $75,000, but could jump to $500,000 or higher for Thunder Bay, said the city’s sport development supervisor, Paul Burke.
Burke expressed optimism the city could surmount that obstacle, by requesting additional support from the province and potentially reducing the per-athlete subsidies. Still, he said work remained to be done to ensure the event wouldn’t turn into a money-loser for the city.
“If we get into the real nitty-gritty details of this and find out it isn’t financially viable, we would come back to council with a report to that end,” he said.
Peng, who attended this year’s competition in Orillia, expressed confidence Thunder Bay, with its much larger urban population, would make an ideal host site.
“If they can host it, Thunder Bay can,” he said.
Indeed, Pineau noted, an initial assessment indicated Thunder Bay wouldn’t require any major facility upgrades to play host.
Still, the event remains a major financial and organizational commitment, with an estimated operating budget of $2 million.
The province, which operates the games, contributes half of that total, including a $900,000 hosting grant and a $100,000 legacy fund, which can be used against potential deficits. Recent games have reported a surplus, or at least left most of the legacy fund intact.
Remaining costs are covered by host cities (which must kick in $250,000), registration fees (estimated at $220,000), grants, sponsorships, and fundraising.
Coun. Andrew Foulds suggested enlisting nearby communities, including Fort William First Nation, to cooperate on the bid.
A motion to submit a bid for the 2024 Ontario Winter Games, approving funding of $250,000 in principle, was passed unanimously by city council Monday.
The city would also commit to in-kind support worth up to $50,000, which could including waiving facility fees and providing services.
The motion also appointed Mayor Bill Mauro to represent council on the bid committee.
The bid process itself will cost the city up to $15,000 for promotional material and hosting of a site visit.
Bids to host the games are due by Jan. 8, 2021. The games will be awarded in March.
