Councilor seeks city study on potential Pan Am Games bid

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This article was published 27/10/2021 (1058 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A bid to play host to the 2031 Pan American Games might be in Winnipeg’s future.

Coun. Brian Mayes is calling for the city to “explore a potential Winnipeg bid” to host the games that year, estimating the event would attract about 6,000 elite athletes and up to 100,000 visitors.

“I think it’s worth exploring… (and we already) we have a lot of sports facilities. We have them from the (previous) Pan Am Games and from the (2017) Canada (Summer) Games,” said Mayes.

The St. Vital councillor noted the city was home to the Pan Am Games in 1967 and 1999, which he believes left “a pretty good legacy” that includes the Pan Am Pool.

In a motion he raised during Thursday’s council meeting, Mayes calls for the city to collaborate with Economic Development Winnipeg and Tourism Winnipeg on a potential bid to host the games for a third time. Should one be made, the city would also need to seek federal and provincial government support, he said.

Mayes said he’s hopeful it would help Winnipeg’s service, hospitality and tourism industries — sectors currently reeling from the economic blows of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Brian Bowman, who seconded the motion, said he agrees the option is worth exploring and existing local sports facilities could help ensure an affordable bid.

Bowman said the event was a local success in the past.

“It was great for the morale in the city. It helped with hotel stays and other economic development efforts… This might be something that can bring our community together and once again demonstrate to the world why Winnipeg is increasingly a destination,” he said.

Both Mayes and the mayor said the city would only pursue the option if it is found the financial benefits outweigh the costs.

“If it’s not financially viable, then we wouldn’t proceed,” said Mayes.

The motion will be considered by council’s executive policy committee next month.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga