CEO:  Games will bring good benefits

Commonwealth Games

By Richard Dooley

Bringing the Commonwealth Games to Halifax could herald a golden age of prosperity for Atlantic Canadians and hasten the construction of needed infrastructure in the region, says the bid chairman.

Scott Logan, CEO of the Halifax 2014 Commonwealth Games bid committee, told a business audience yesterday there will be “no white elephants” if Halifax is successful in it’s attempt to win the rights to host the Games.

Any facilities built for the Games will be put to good use afterward, he said.

“The athletes’ village, in particular, is going to be a fabulous focal point for HRM,” said Logan.  Logan and Commonwealth Games Canada CEO Tom Jones were the guest speakers at a business lunch hosted by NovaKnowledge at the World Trade and Convention Centre.

Logan said that after the Games, the village, which would be constructed in Shannon Park to accommodate more than 6,000 athletes, coaches and officials, will revert back to the community.

The village will be converted to 100 assisted living unites, 200 affordable housing units and 900 units available for sale after the Games.

Logan said the other projects slated for construction will generate millions in construction jobs as Halifax revamps existing facilities and prepares new sites for the Games.

“Keep in mind these are physical assets that will be owned by the municipality and will remain in our community,” said Logan.

Halifax is competing against Glasgow, Scotland, and Abuja, Nigeria, for the rights to the 2014 Games.

Logan forecasts the Games could generate $2 billion in economic activity in HRM, with significant effects across the rest of Atlantic Canada.  The construction of the sites and the spin-offs from the games could produce as much as $450 million in salaries and wages.

Logan said there is no doubt HRM and Nova Scotia will benefit from the Commonwealth Games.  He said the last large scale multi-sport event hosted in Halifax – the 1969 Summer Canada Games – is proof.

“Are we still using Centennial Pool? Beazley Field?  The softball diamonds on the Commons?” asked Logan.

“Let me ask you, did we get our money’s worth?”

Logan said having new sports facilities will inspire Nova Scotians to take up health lifestyles.

East Jeddore 200-metre Canadian sprint champion Adrienne Power said from an athlete’s point of view, the games will change the face of sports in Atlantic Canada.

“Imagine if I had a facility like that in my backyard, what that could do to my performance” she said.

Budget still in progress

By Richard Dooley

If the budget for the 2014 Commonwealth Games grows, so will the economic benefits. 

Scott Logan, CEO of the Halifax 2014 bid committee said the committee is still working on the final budget for the games and negotiating with the federal government to determine Ottawa’s contribution.

The bid committee’s been working with a projected budget of $785 million as a forecasted cost for the games, but that could change.

“If the $785 million went up, so would the economic impact.” said Logan.  The final budget will factor in contribution s from all three levels of government plus corporate sponsorship.  A decision on the federal contribution will be made in a few months.

But Logan adds that he’s confident in the budget forecast.

“Will continue to refine it and ensure it’s as responsible and accurate as possible,” said Logan.

rdooley@hfxnews.ca