Posted on May 26: Canadian, Ontario governments confirm support for 2010 Commonwealth Games bid

McMaster and its partners on the 2010 Commonwealth Games bid team are celebrating a commitment by the federal and provincial governments to provide $250 million each to the initiative.

Heritage Minister Sheila Copps made the funding announcement at a news conference held earlier tonight at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. The University's support equals $50 million and the City of Hamilton has committed $80 million to the project.

President Peter George said the University is committed to working hard with all of its community partners to ensure the bid is successful.

“McMaster is one of Canada's premier universities and, like the Commonwealth Games, has a proud legacy of building strong relationships within our local community, across Canada, and around the world,” said President George. “We are dedicated to continuing this tradition through our support of the Hamilton bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and we look forward to coming together with all of our partners to promote to the world the excitement and values of the Games.”

McMaster would be a major venue for many of the events and would be home to a secure Games Village for athletes participating in the athletic activities. In April, McMaster students voted in favour of contributing $20 million through a levy to support the construction of a new multi-sport wellness complex. The complex is a component of the Commonwealth Games bid and will be expanded and enhanced if the 2010 Commonwealth Games bid is successful. For McMaster, the bid also includes an aquatics centre and a 7,000-seat athletics stadium.

Roger Trull, vice-president University advancement, said the work that several members of the McMaster community have already contributed to the bid process exemplifies the spirit of community that permeates the Games.

“It is incredibly inspiring to learn about the history of the Games and to be a part of the group envisioning the great things their future could hold if Hamilton wins this bid,” said Trull. “It is equally inspiring to be in the partnership that is making this happen. Even before the bid book is submitted, we should already consider ourselves winners for the way we have worked together to unite our community, our province and our country.”

Members of the bid team, including University representatives, will be in London, England Friday to submit the official 150-page bid book. With the submission of the bid book, Hamilton proceeds to the international round of competition against New Delhi, which is also competing for the right to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Beginning in June and continuing through the summer, representatives from countries in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe will travel to Hamilton and McMaster to see and evaluate local venues selected for the games. The first of the visits is set for June 5 to 8, with four delegates from the Americas scheduled to tour the McMaster campus on Saturday, June 7.

In all, 72 nations will cast votes to determine the host city.

The Games are expected to attract up to 6,000 athletes and officials for the two-week event and if Hamilton is selected, the economic impact on Ontario could be more than $1 billion.

The winning bid will be announced at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Nov. 13.

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McMaster and its partners on the 2010 Commonwealth Games bid team are celebrating a commitment by the federal and provincial governments to provide $250 million each to the initiative. <br />
<br />
Heritage Minister Sheila Copps made the funding announcement at a news conference held earlier tonight at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. The University&#039;s support equals $50 million and the City of Hamilton has committed $80 million to the project. <br />
<br />
President Peter George said the University is committed to working hard with all of its community partners to ensure the bid is successful.<br />
<br />
"McMaster is one of Canada&#039;s premier universities and, like the Commonwealth Games, has a proud legacy of building strong relationships within our local community, across Canada, and around the world," said President George. "We are dedicated to continuing this tradition through our support of the Hamilton bid for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and we look forward to coming together with all of our partners to promote to the world the excitement and values of the Games." <br />
<br />
McMaster would be a major venue for many of the events and would be home to a secure Games Village for athletes participating in the athletic activities. In April, McMaster students voted in favour of contributing $20 million through a levy to support the construction of a new multi-sport wellness complex. The complex is a component of the Commonwealth Games bid and will be expanded and enhanced if the 2010 Commonwealth Games bid is successful.  For McMaster, the bid also includes an aquatics centre and a 7,000-seat athletics stadium.<br />
<br />
Roger Trull, vice-president University advancement, said the work that several members of the McMaster community have already contributed to the bid process exemplifies the spirit of community that permeates the Games.<br />
<br />
"It is incredibly inspiring to learn about the history of the Games and to be a part of the group envisioning the great things their future could hold if Hamilton wins this bid," said Trull. "It is equally inspiring to be in the partnership that is making this happen.  Even before the bid book is submitted, we should already consider ourselves winners for the way we have worked together to unite our community, our province and our country."<br />
<br />
Members of the bid team, including University representatives, will be in London, England Friday to submit the official 150-page bid book. With the submission of the bid book, Hamilton proceeds to the international round of competition against New Delhi, which is also competing for the right to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.<br />
<br />
Beginning in June and continuing through the summer, representatives from countries in the Americas, the Caribbean, Africa and Europe will travel to Hamilton and McMaster to see and evaluate local venues selected for the games. The first of the visits is set for June 5 to 8, with four delegates from the Americas scheduled to tour the McMaster campus on Saturday, June 7. <br />
<br />
In all, 72 nations will cast votes to determine the host city. <br />
<br />
The Games are expected to attract up to 6,000 athletes and officials for the two-week event and if Hamilton is selected, the economic impact on Ontario could be more than $1 billion. <br />
<br />
The winning bid will be announced at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Nov. 13. <br />
<br />
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