2021 bid gets boost as deadline nears

By Maddy Hadfield

The City of Ottawa is receiving a new wave of support for its bid to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games, as the bid looms.

Bid general manager Lindsay Hugenholtz said since a launch event on Jan. 12 the number of signatures of support that the committee has gathered increased from roughly 1,000 to 1,800. At least 5,000 signatures are needed to move the proposal forward.

“It’s going exactly as we hoped,” Hugenholtz said.

The Canada Games happen every two years, alternating between the summer and winter games. Athletes aged 14–22 will represent Canada’s provinces and territories.

The Games have helped launch many athletes’ careers, like Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Philips and four-time Olympian Sue Holloway.

Hugenholtz said she was pleased with the turnout of roughly 1,000 people at the launch event, but notes that the most important show of support is yet to come.

“What’s really important is how we demonstrate during the site visit,” she said.

“What we do on March 2 when the review committee comes to town is we demonstrate our capacity. That will be a really important day for the community to come out and showcase their support again,” Hugenholtz said.

Mayor Jim Watson said he’s pleased with the support he has seen in the bid campaign so far.

“We’re off to a really good start. Ottawa City Council is behind this bid 100 per cent,” Watson said.

Ottawa has some stiff competition with the other cities, but Watson insists the capital is offering a solid plan.

“My opinion is that the nation’s capital should host these games as soon as possible, because I think it’s a symbolic gesture that Ottawa is not a better city than other cities, but it has a special responsibility as the capital of our country,” Watson said.

Holloway, who is serving as the bid committee co-chair, said she isn’t surprised about the amount of support she’s seen.

“Ottawa is a supportive, get-involved, let’s-make-it-happen type of city,” Holloway said.

We’re really a small town in a big city,” said Holloway. In 1976, she became the first woman to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics in the same year.

Holloway is recognized for her skills in the canoe sprint and cross-country skiing.

With the support of the community, Holloway said she feels confident moving forward with the bid.

“We can do this, and it would not only be good for the city, but for the Canada Games. I think we’ll do a great job to enhance the Canada Games and to help bring it to more people,” Holloway said.

Ottawa is competing against the Waterloo Region, Niagara Region, and Sudbury. If selected, it would be the first time Ottawa has hosted a Canada Games. The city’s bid to host the 2001 Games lost to London.

“I think we’re in for a good dog fight. The three other communities are very strong contenders,” Hugenholtz said.

Teddy Katz, spokesperson for the Waterloo Region’s bid committee, said their smaller size may be an advantage.

“The Games have traditionally gone to smaller centres and regions like ours,” Katz said.

Like Ottawa, Katz said Waterloo’s bid is receiving a great deal of support from the community.

“We have terrific sports infrastructure. We have the community rallying behind our bid.  We are a community known worldwide for helping youth reach their potential.  The Canada Games is where greatness begins.  We feel it’s the perfect match,” Katz said.

Bid proposals are due Jan. 31. The winning community will be announced March 30.