Super group to mull Games bid
More than 20 to sit on committee to consider hosting $35.8-million-plus event
Elaine Anselmi
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, February 4, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
As the city talks over a bid for the 2023 Canada Winter Games, it plans to bring more than 20 voices into the conversation, including members of the business community, school boards and First Nations.
"I think it's pretty obvious why we need a committee of sorts," said Coun. Dan Wong.
"We're kind of mired in a quagmire right now, we're at a stalemate until some very basic questions can be answered: 'How much will the games cost and how much the territorial government will contribute?' being two of the bigger ones."
"Until we have that, it's pretty difficult to have any meaningful discussion about the games."
The budget for the games is $35.8 million, according to the city, although that figure does not include the cost of an athletes village or a new swimming pool to host synchronized swimming. The athletes village is expected to cost $23 million, which the city hopes the GNWT will cover. The pool, estimated at $30 million, is not included in the budget because it's considered a city project.
The terms of reference for the 2023 Canada Winter Games Committee were discussed by council at its Feb. 2 meeting, where the composition of the group drew the greatest discussion.
An executive advisory group made up of about half of the committee members will meet once every month to guide the development of a business plan for the city to play host. This group includes public servants, a First Nations representative and members of the business community.
"Businesses have a key role if we're going to go forward," said Coun. Linda Bussey.
"Who are we going to target because those are the businesses that are probably going to be financially supporting this initiative?"
A number of business operators have already been identified as strong candidates for the executive, said Dennis Kefalas, senior administrative officer. Some of those same people have also shown interest in being a part of the committee, so Kefalas said they will be approached first.
While he welcomed the terms of reference drawn up by city administration, Coun. Niels Konge had some concerns in the number of business representatives.
"If you look at the tax makeup in Yellowknife, where business and commercial land is paying 50 per cent of the taxes, I think that same group should have 50 per cent representation on this committee and currently they have about one third," said Konge.
"If we're going to get buy-in, I think it's important that the business community is properly represented."
He proposed increasing the number of business representatives from "up to three" to a definite six.
"I have a list of 14 people that I would like the city to reach out to, to see if they would be interested in sitting on this committee," Konge offered.
"Would you like to see them now?"
While Mayor Mark Heyck said there was no need to go over the list at that time, he directed Konge to submit the names to Kefalas.
The terms of reference also called for one councillor to sit on the executive committee, which council amended, adding a second position. Both Couns. Rebecca Alty and Bob Brooks put their names forward.
The committee will be tasked with reviewing the requirements for the games and developing a plan on how they can be met. The committee will also carry out public consultations and meet with business representatives about bidding on the games - presenting the feedback at Municipal Services Committee and at council meetings.
Coun. Adrian Bell was hesitant about having committee members already selected, explaining that more transparency was needed in the process, as the ultimate goal of the committee is to provide an objective assessment of whether or not the games are feasible.
As well, he echoed Wong's perspective that the question of cost is still a sticking point for any final decision on the games and more than a business plan was needed.
"A detailed business plan is a marketing document. Let's be clear about that," said Bell.
"I want to see the committee conduct a cost-benefit analysis in order to assist council in assessing the advisability of hosting the games. I don't think a detailed business plan is necessarily enough. There is a huge marketing component in that and it's a document that is sometimes designed to persuade. What we need is a document that's designed to help us assess."
Council will vote on the amended terms of reference at the next council meeting, at which point councillors expressed the need for expedient action on its tasks, as the city is expected to submit its intention to enter a bid for the games this fall. Council was in agreement that once the committee is established, meetings should be open to the public and media.
Canada Winter Games committee
Executive members include:
- Mayor Mark Heyck
- Robert C. McLeod, minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA)
- Coun. Rebecca Alty
- Coun. Bob Brooks
- One Yellowknife MLA
- David Stewart, president of the NWT Housing Corporation
- Six business community members
- Yellowknives Dene First Nation
The remainder of the committee will be made up of:
- Dennis Kefalas, city senior administrative officer
- Ian Legaree, MACA director of sports, recreation and youth
- Grant White, city director of community services
- Undetermined city director of corporate services
- A representative from the Yellowknife Hotel Association
- A trustee from the Catholic school board
- A trustee from the Yk1
- Dave Hurley, city facilities manager
- Doug Rentmeister, executive director of Sport North
- Cathie Bolstad, executive director, NWT Tourism
Source: City of Yellowknife
