Ontario will be committing to a cost-shared investment of $29 million to construct new sport facilities for the 2021 Canada Games in the Niagara Region. This infrastructure project will need federal approval under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and will also need contributions from other partners per Ontario Newsroom.
Provincial funding will support the following facilities:
- Canada Games Park in Thorold
- Henley Rowing Centre in St. Catharines
- Baseball fields in Welland and Niagara Falls
- Softball fields in Grimsby, West Lincoln and Wainfleet
- Upgrades to its cycling course
The province has previously invested $10.35 million and the 2021 Canada Games has already raised an impressive amount of funding. The Games themselves will cover $47 million of the projected $105 million total cost for the games.
"I am thrilled that our province is hosting the Games. For the Niagara region, hosting a national sport event is a tremendous opportunity to reap the economic and social rewards that come with it. Not only will this project create an amazing, unforgettable experience for the athletes, but new sport and recreation facilities will be enjoyed by residents of all ages and abilities."
Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport | Lisa MacLeod
The next step is for the federal government to review the project and make final funding decisions to match the $29 million contribution of the provincial government. The provincial government has urged their federal counterparts to signal their intent as soon as possible to make this sport and recreational infrastructure a reality for the Canada Summer Games.
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The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10 year infrastructure program cost-shared between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.
The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer games and involve athletes from every province and territory. 5,000 participants are expected and this should be the largest Canada Games ever with over 200,000 spectators from across the country.
According to the Thorold News, construction should be started towards the end of October. Lisa MacLeod stated that this project should create 2,100 high quality jobs and was certain that cooperation between the provincial Conservatives and the federal Liberals would not present a problem.
