MBiz

31 MBiz | june 2017 CANADA SUMMER GAMES I t might be a slight exaggeration to call the upcoming 2017 Canada Summer Games a secret, considering the event is expected to attract thousands of visitors to Winnipeg and generate millions of dollars in economic activity. Still, Games president and CEO Jeff Hnatiuk says the public may not fully comprehend the impact the country's largest multi-sport event can have on a host city like Winnipeg. "I think quite honestly the Canada Games is one of the best-kept secrets around," he says. "People are starting to realize now as we've begun to educate the public more and more about these Games … about the kind of athlete that's going to be here as well as the whole cultural side of what these Games will bring people. But I still don't think they realize the full impact these Games will have or the scope and magnitude of an event like this." Billed as the 'hottest summer in half a century,' the 2017 Canada Games will take place July 28 to Aug. 13 in Winnipeg and a handful of neighbouring communities. While the Games will supply plenty of memorable moments for both athletes and spectators, they are also expected to provide a huge boost to the local economy. Some 20,000 visitors, including more than 4,000 athletes, will descend on city throughout the two- week event. A recent study conducted by Economic Development Winnipeg projects the Games will have a $153 million economic impact on the city. While restaurants, bars and hotels will rake in a sizeable chunk of that $153 million, the local athletic community stands to receive a significant infusion of capital as well. The 200,000-square-foot Canada Games Sport for Life Centre in the Exchange District, which will host basketball and volleyball, received funding from all three levels of government as well as $3 million from the Canada Games Council. Another $6 million has been injected into other capital projects, including a new beach volleyball facility at Cindy Klassen Recreation Centre and a new mountain biking course at FortWhyte Alive. Pan Am Stadium at the University of Manitoba has also undergone a major upgrade for track and field while a new bulkhead has been installed at the Pan Am Pool for the swimming competition. "I think the venues first and foremost will be some of the best venues to ever host a Games," Hnatiuk says. "The Pan Am Pool is a world-class facility. We're doing some of the baseball at Shaw Park. The opening ceremonies will be at MTS Centre and the closing ceremonies will be at Investors Group Field. The venues we have available to us are going to be just tremendous." Scott Koskie, provincial high performance coach for Volleyball Manitoba, says the new beach volleyball courts will provide a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport. Located in the centre of the Cindy Klassen facility's speed skating oval, the area can be configured into as many as 10 courts at any given time. " I think this will be a tremendous growth opportunity for our youth programs. It will be great for kids to get started on the best beach volleyball courts you can play on. I think that will really build some excitement and momentum in the game." The Summer Games will be the biggest sporting event to be held in Winnipeg since the 1999 Pan Am Games. It's the first time the city has hosted a Canada Games and it is the largest city to ever host the Games. Hnatiuk acknowledges that holding the Games in a city the size of Winnipeg poses some challenges, such as keeping it front and centre in people's minds when there are so many other activities to choose from. It also presents some unique opportunities, such as being able to work closely with major corporate partners who might not have a direct presence in other smaller communities. "The corporate community has been absolutely fantastic with supporting the Games," he says. The city's volunteer base has been equally supportive. Despite a sluggish start, Games officials had about 95 per cent of the volunteers needed in place as of mid-April. Provincial and territorial delegates visited Winnipeg this spring and gave the city a collective thumbs-up for its preparedness. Hnatiuk says he has no doubts the city will be ready come July 28. And while the Games will only last two weeks, their impact will be felt for many years to come. "We learned from the Pan Am Games the capacity that's built in the community with these events. We want to use these Games to hopefully create the next wave or generation of community leaders." ■ I think quite honestly the Canada Games is one of the best-kept secrets around." Legacy projects will include a beach volleyball facility and a new mountain biking course. Left: Games president and CEO Jeff Hnatiuk (left), mascot Niibin and Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Kelvin Shepherd unveil the torch that will be carried in the Torch Relay. Photos courtesy of Canada Summer Games

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