2015 Pan Am facilities ripe for centenary Games in city
January 18, 2010
John Kernaghan
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/706979
It's a long way off, but a centenary Commonwealth Games for Hamilton in 2030 was on sports organizers' minds over the weekend.
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) sees an opportunity to celebrate the birth of the Games, known as the British Empire Games when Hamilton spawned them in 1930, by using the 2015 Pan Am Games as a platform.
"We should be poised to take advantage of the legacy of the Pan Am Games," said CGC president Dr. Andrew Pipe following the sports body's annual general meeting.
"It would mean double the value of the investment you make for 2015."
He cited the $170 million in sports and recreation infrastructure slated for Hamilton and Burlington.
Those facilities, which include a major stadium, pool at McMaster University, world championship-calibre cycling track and a $23-million soccer centre, could still be used 15 years later.
Pipe said the CGC is first looking at 2022 for a Games in Canada, but the special circumstances of the 100th anniversary for Hamilton could mean hosting two sets of Games eight years apart.
"It's hypothetical if you could run both in the same region, but that could be explored strategically."
After Hamilton's original version, three other Commonwealth Games in Canada were staged in Alberta and British Columbia.
Michael Fennell, president of the Commonwealth Games Federation, said Canada should be hosting more Games and noted the 2030 version is a special occasion.
"Canada has proven it has the expertise and resources to stage major Games, whether it is the Olympics or Commonwealth Games. It should do more."
He addressed security concerns for the 2010 Games in New Delhi, telling CGC members yesterday his organization has hired a security consultant to advise it on preparations for the events in India next October.
New Delhi defeated Hamilton in the 2003 competition to stage the Games.
"We live in a crazy world," he noted, but added many nations, including Canada, are helping the Indian and New Delhi security apparatus prepare for the 10-day sports showcase.