There is still no word on whether the 2022 Alberta Summer Games will be postponed, or whether Okotoks and Black Diamond were the successful bidders.
At its April 27 meeting, Okotoks council directed administration to prepare a letter on behalf of the two municipalities requesting the Province delay the 2022 Alberta Summer Games to 2023 given the current economic and social situation with COVID-19. The 2020 Alberta Summer Games, originally scheduled for this summer in Lethbridge, have been postponed to 2021.
A response was received on June 18.
“The Province right now is concentrating on COVID responses and they will get back to us toward the end of the summer or early fall with what the response will be towards the request to move the games from 2022 to 2023,” said Susan Laurin, Okotoks director of community services. “It will also allow the Province to see the economic state.”
In the meantime, the Town has been working with the summer games host committee to review the budget and potentially revise its bid. The original expenditures of $2.5 million were reduced to $1.7 million.
“We believe we’ve done that without compromising how the games will be done,” said Laurin. “We’re looking and seeing what made other games in other years successful and how can we scale some things back.”
Council had also asked the Town’s economic development team to approach local businesses regarding the games and their confidence in fundraising and sponsorship abilities. The initial budget showed $375,000 being raised from local businesses.
Jeff Greene, director of development services for the Town of Okotoks, facilitated meetings with the business community, including the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce, the Okotoks Ecosystem, the River District Business Association, the Foothills Tourism Association, Community Futures Highwood, Bow Valley College, the Okotoks Arts Council and the Okotoks Business Association.
He said the conversations were fruitful and there is general support of the games as far as the event being an economic driver for the community and a good way to bring the community together and deepen relationships through volunteerism, teamwork, and excitement of hosting the event.
However, there was concern raised about soliciting donations and fundraising from local businesses.
“The concern there is largely while businesses are recovering, the long-term impacts of COVID-19 aren’t really known,” said Greene. “Fundraising from local businesses was seen as a potential challenge.
“Financial viability is somewhat of a focus and they were concerned it would add pressure to have to fundraise for the games.”
He said the business community expressed interest in delaying the decision on the games and potentially changing the bid to rely less on donations.
Coun. Tanya Thorn voiced concern over hosting the games in an uncertain COVID-19 climate and initially proposed withdrawing the bid for the games entirely, but was unable to proceed as a similar motion had been defeated April 27 and therefore six months must pass before the same motion is put forward.
She cited the hesitancy of the business community, uncertainty of the Province and delays in the ministry’s decision on the games, and timing of a potential 2023 Alberta Summer Games, which would take place in the middle of a new council’s term, as reasons for withdrawal.
“I just think putting any energy and focus into this at this moment in time is detracting from rebuilding and recovering our community, so I would encourage us to withdraw this bid at this time, and rethink the games once the Province has some certainty around what they’re going to do with the Alberta Summer Games program,” said Thorn.
Council opted to wait out the Province’s decision on shifting the 2022 games to 2023.
“I don’t think there’s any harm right now in just waiting for more information,” said Coun. Ken Heemeryck. “I don’t think we’re committed to anything right now, and when we hear back from the Province they may well come back to us with great desire to have us host where there potentially is no fundraising involved.”
Krista Conrad, OkotoksToday.ca
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