2011 Games Legacy Announced
The Halifax 2011 Canada Games will generate an estimated $125 million in economic activity leaving a legacy of new and upgraded recreational facilities, trained volunteers, community, culture, and sport development.
The Host Society announced today, Oct. 14, that the Games will create close to 900 jobs in the province, 600 of which are in Halifax Regional Municipality, providing $36 million in wages and salaries.
"The Games will be held in HRM, but in fact all Nova Scotians will benefit from this event now, and for decades to come," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Not only will the Games help promote Nova Scotia on a national stage, but the resulting facilities, equipment and funding will improve access to sports and help our young athletes prepare for future competitions."
"Hosting sport events such as the Canada Games results in many benefits for all Canadians," said MP Scott Armstrong, on behalf of Gary Lunn, Minister of State for Sport. "We know this investment will contribute to a legacy of valuable training, competition experience, and sport infrastructure. It will benefit future athletes as they strive to become members of our national teams and compete in international sporting events."
The 13 sport venues will sign a legacy agreement that spells out how each venue will carry on the Games' legacy of sport development and community access. This will include training access for future Canada Games athletes, free access for the community on various dates, and integrating arts and culture at each venue, either through programming or displays.
"The legacy of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games will live on in our facilities, our culture, and most importantly, our people," said Games co-chair and legacy committee chair, Chuck Bridges. "This is one of the proudest days our city has seen."
Five thousand Nova Scotians will be trained to carry out the Games, leaving them well-equipped to lend their skills to future events. As part of the registration process, volunteers can choose to put their name forward to Events Nova Scotia to be contacted for future opportunities. More than half have done so.
"Residents of HRM have really stepped up to the plate in preparation for these Games," said Mayor Peter Kelly. "In return, we will benefit from a long-lasting legacy, including new and upgraded facilities, trained volunteers and a more engaged community."
As part of the Games legacy, $1.1 million will create the Support4Sport Canada Games Sport Equipment Fund. The fund, which was established with a $1 million contribution from the Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation's Support4Sport Program, will be managed by Sport Nova Scotia and will be used to provide grants to community organizations to buy sport equipment. This is in addition to the $1 million in sport equipment that will be used during the Games and turned over to community organizations.
The Host Society will also provide $50,000 to Citadel High in Halifax to complete construction on Spatz Theatre. Young artists from across the country participating in the Games' National Artist Program will be the first to perform in two gala shows on Feb. 25-26.
Fifteen million dollars in capital upgrades to existing venues for the Games are close to complete in addition to the new $42-million Canada Games Centre.
The 2011 Games will aim to be as inclusive as possible, engaging a diverse workforce and reaching out to as many communities as possible through the Games torch and mascot programs. Over 25 per cent of Games sporting events will be free-of-charge for spectators. Long track speed skating, cross-country ski, biathlon, alpine ski, snowboarding, and freestyle ski events, as well as nightly concerts at the Games festivals site in Grand Parade, will be free to encourage as many people as possible to experience the Games.
The 2011 Canada Games will hold the most events ever for athletes with disabilities including wheelchair basketball, alpine ski, biathlon, and cross-country. Athletes with intellectual disabilities will compete in figure skating.
The 2011 Canada Games will be one of the most environmentally sustainable in history. Environmental stewardship is key to this endeavour, with the Games implementing one of the most modern motor-pool plans, including car pooling, a strict no-idle policy, and giving all Games participants access to Metro Transit.
The Host Society is the first to go through an extensive Transfer of Knowledge process, which will provide future host societies with an archive of documented information including templates, budgets, project charters, and planning tools.
More information on Games' legacy can be found online at www.canadagames2011.ca/legacy
The 2011 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport event held in Nova Scotia and Halifax's first Canada Winter Games. From Feb. 11-27, more than 2,700 athletes will compete in more than 20 sports, attracting thousands of visitors, VIPs, officials and media.
Held every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games are a key event in the development of Canada's young athletes, producing the next generation of national, international and Olympic champions.