Hay River (Dec 13/04) - The South Slave plans to challenge Yellowknife for the right to host the 2008 Arctic Winter Games.

The news became official Friday when the town councils of Hay River and Fort Smith agreed to support the bid.

In Hay River, council voted 5-2 in favour, while Fort Smith council unanimously agreed by consensus.

"I'm very pleased," said Hay River Mayor Diana Ehman. "It's very exciting."

Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos was also happy, although he added there is still lots of work to be done.

Martselos noted Fort Smith agreed to back the bid on the condition it be equally involved in decision-making, especially on financial matters.

"We want to be full participants," he said.

Greg Rowe, chair of the bid committee, is already looking ahead to getting the bid to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee.

"That's what we've been doing," he said. "Taking it one step at a time."

Rowe believes the South Slave's biggest strength in competing against Yellowknife for the games is the "personal touch," noting 70 volunteers have already agreed to help. Hay River's assistant deputy mayor Vern Tordoff and councillor Tom Hamilton voted against the bid.

"I think they're $1 million shy on the whole budget," said Tordoff of the bid committee's $5-million estimate on the cost of the games.

"They low-balled us."

Tordoff was ready to vote "yes" until he heard some of the estimated costs of transportation, especially flying athletes back and forth between Hay River and Fort Smith.

He also doubts the South Slave AWG will be able to attract the needed 2,000 volunteers. "That will be tough. That's a lot of people."

However, Coun. Ron Cook, once an opponent of the bid, voted in favour.

Cook explained he changed his mind after reading the bid proposal.

"I believe they've done their homework," he said.

The games are due to be held in the NWT -- either Yellowknife or the South Slave -- from March 8-15, 2008.

If the South Slave wins, some events will be held in Fort Resolution, Enterprise and on the Hay River Reserve.

The bid committee made its final pitch for support before a joint sitting of Hay River and Fort Smith town councils on Dec. 9.

It was the first time the two councils ever held a joint session.

Rowe noted a delegation from the AWG International Committee will visit the NWT in January or early February. "That's when we're going to have to wow them."

A decision on where the games will be held is expected in March or April.

by the numbers:

0/00 $5,093,750 estimated overall cost.

0/00 $5,095,000 estimated overall financial contributions and income for the South Slave AWG bid committee.

This includes $200,000 from Hay River and $120,000 from Fort Smith; $750,000 cash and $205,000 in-kind from the GNWT; and $500,000 from the federal government. The rest will come from sponsors, merchandise and ticket sales.

0/00 $4 million estimated economic impact on communities, including $1.3 million in visitor spending on lodging, meals, transportation, retail and groceries, and $2.7 million in local spending by the AWG host society.

0/00 1,800 athletes expected to attend.

0/00 440 athletes flown daily to Fort Smith and back to Hay River.

0/00 2,000 volunteers required.