BONNYVILLE – The MD of Bonnyville council was unanimous in its decision to forgo a bid for the upcoming 2024 Alberta Summer Games and Winter Games, during the March 9 regular council meeting.
Municipalities across the province were recently invited by the Minister of Culture to submit bid applications to host the 2024 games.
The letter from the Minister’s office also indicated that an operating grant of $420,000 would be provided to the hosting municipality.
Coun. Darcy Skarsen stated that now was not the right time to place a bid for the upcoming provincial games.
“I think we need to form a committee of sorts that looks at more than just the Summer Games. There are opportunities of all sorts to host, and we've spent for years and years now, time and money on building facilities that we really need to start showing off,” said Skarsen.
Coun. Dana Swigart pointed out that with new facilities in Glendon, Bonnyville and Cold Lake, there are several facilities that are not only capable of hosting both winter and summer games, but worthy of showcasing. He also agreed that more time to prepare was needed.
Referring to the last time the municipality bid to host the Alberta Winter Games, Skarsen indicated that at least three years of preparation went into planning and organizing the event – making a bid for the 2026 or 2028 provincial games an option.
In 2010, the MD of Bonnyville, in partnership with the Town of Bonnyville, City of Cold Lake, and CFB 4 Wings Cold Lake, hosted the Alberta Winter Games.
A formal bid for that event was submitted in 2007, which allowed for over two years of planning and financial preparation.
A Lakeland Region Games Committee was formed specifically for the 2010 Winter Games and included over 10 sub-committees that were comprised of several members of each community and representatives from each partnering municipality.
The estimated number of volunteers needed for the 2010 Games was 2,000, with an overall proposed budget for the event at $1.7 million. The MD had committed to contribute $150,000 at the time, which was earmarked in the budget for three years prior to the event.
Regionalizing the Games
Earlier this month, the County of Lac La Biche council also decided to forgo a bid to host the 2024 Games.
CAO Al Hoggan told council, “There was an interesting twist, the CAO from Lac La Biche County reached out to me... and had indicated to me that Lac La Biche would even be interested in creating a regional (bid) – I don't know what the flavour around the table here locally would be.”
The prospect of pursuing a regional bid requiring participants and volunteers to drive upwards of 130 km between communities did not stir a general enthusiasm for the MD council.
Skarsen indicated that beyond the pool slated to be built in Lac La Biche, there weren’t many facilities that the Bonnyville region couldn’t provide on its own.
“I don't think we need to look for more facilities, but a conversation should be had,” added Coun. Ben Fadeyiw.
In the end, MD council voted against submitting a letter of interest to the province for hosting the 2024 Alberta Winter and Summer Games.
However, administration will bring back more information with respect to a 2026 and 2028 Alberta Games bid to a future committee of the whole meeting. Further discussion on the creation of an events committee is also expected to take place.
