Doug Hamilton is happy Francois-Philippe Champagne kept his promise.
Addressing a crowd of athletes, politicians, and slew of stakeholders in the Canada 2021 Summer Games, Hamilton, as chair, thanked Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, for being “true to his word.”
At the gathering in Welland this morning, the minister announced federal funding to the tune of $29 million for constructing infrastructure for the Games in municipalities across Niagara.
Hamilton also thanked MPs Vance Badawey and Chris Bittle for their “herculean efforts” in helping secure funding for the Games throughout the past four years.
The announcement follows a recent funding announcement of $29 million for the Games from the Province. Sport Canada is providing an additional $3 million and the 11 host municipalities, along with Brock University, will contribute the remaining funding.
“We are now fully funded and ready to go,” said Hamilton. “We tendered the project two years ago on faith, and will start construction in just a few weeks, with shovels in the ground.”
“Now that we have funding,” he continued, “we are in a position to move forward and we are all expecting to be the best Canada Games ever. This will be the 28th Canada Games,” he added, “but every other one has been hosted by a single municipality. When we come together, we have the strength of 13 municipalities, and that’s why we’re well-positioned to deliver the best ever.”
Four years ago, when the idea was first floated, Hamilton said many naysayers doubted that all Niagara’s municipalities, as well as other levels of government, could work together.
Champagne, as well as Mayors Walter Sendzik of St. Catharines, Frank Campion of Welland, Terry Ugulini of Thorold, Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley and Brock University President Dr. Gervan Fearon, all spoke on the success achieved due to the unprecedented cooperation among every level of government in securing the event for Niagara.
Billed as “Team Niagara,” the various community partners all “shared a dream,” said the Minister, and “worked together in record time to deliver. We all know as Canadians that sports bring us together. We came to this conclusion (to fund the Games) in 30 days,” he mused; “faster than you can get a passport in Canada.”
The $29 million will help “ensure the Canada Games are the success they should be,” he added. Pointing out the Brock Badgers athletes who stood behind him, he said, “Let’s make the dream of every athlete come true.”
About 5,000 athletes are expected to participate, according to Champagne, “and hopefully, it will inspire other athletes like you to strive for excellence.”
Each of Niagara’s municipalities will benefit, he stated, “not just during the Games, but for generations to come.”
Thorold will become home to a new Canada Games Park, and also be the host location for multiple events at the Sports Abilities Centre, Athletics Facility, Beach Volleyball Centre, Outdoor Cycling Pavilion and Environmental Sustainability Centre.
St. Catharines will see a new Henley Rowing Centre, upgrades at Brock University, and rehabilitation of a baseball diamond, while several other ball diamonds and softball fields will be upgraded in Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Wainfleet, Welland and West Lincoln. Port Colborne, Pelham and Welland will receive specialized cycling equipment.
Badawey said the enhancements will make Niagara even more of a destination, with more world-class facilities like the International Flatwater Centre in Welland, where today’s announcement was made.
“Solid infrastructure is vital in building communities,” he said, adding that strengthening the economy in the form of new jobs and tourism will result from the new facilities.
Bradley attributed the success of securing the Games in Niagara to the hardworking team led by Hamilton, and said the new infrastructure will be used for future events, following the Summer Games.
Ugulini recognized Coun. John Kenny, as well as Thorold’s CAO Manoj Dilwaria, public works and community services director Geoff Holman and manager of recreation and facilities Curtis Dray, for “working tirelessly to get our operating agreement together, and we are very excited.”
The new facilities will “transform the Region,” said Ugulini, “and allow us to host world-class events and expand sports tourism.”
Posing for a photo with Ugulini, “I love him,” Champagne told the Thorold News following the announcement. “He’s always passionate. When I have a municipal leader like him who has been advocating to bring this forward, it’s the local leaders” who bring results, he said, “and we could not be more proud to support it.”
Thorold Coun. John Kenny, who sits on the committee, told the Thorold News afterward that this is positive news for Thorold. He said the legacy funding would help Thorold in the long run.
"This project is going to be good for Thorold because we've got an estimate of over $5 million to repair the Jack Whyte Arena, so for slightly more, we'll be getting a new arena and much more," he said.
Thorold's committment to the Canada Games is for $7 million .
"Either way, Thorold has to make an investment. And this also means $50,000 for McMillan Park, to replace fencing and new bullpens," Kenny added.
For more information, visit www.niagara2021.ca
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