Stadium will be built at Brock

Events of one sort or another will take place in all of Niagara’s municipalities over the nearly three-week duration.

“There will be a direct economic impact,” said David Oakes, the director of economic development for Niagara Region.

“We are talking $200 million in economic impact on the community. That’s construction. That’s spectators. That’s athletes. It is all the spending that will happen during the Games.

“There is also an intangible piece for Niagara. We are showing we can come together. We are showing we can host a national-calibre event. It displays what we can do as a region.

“We are world-class. This will allow us to build upon all the other success we are having and some of the major investments we are seeing here — like the new General Electric plant.”

Three other Ontario regions — Ottawa, Sudbury and KitchenerWaterloo-Cambridge — submitted bids to host the Games.

About 150 people gathered at the performing arts centre for the announcement, which was displayed on a giant screen at the front of the room.

Jim Richardson of St. Catharines was there early. He was dressed in red and white Canada Games colours with a Canadian flag draped across his back.

He is a veteran volunteer who has been involved in minor hockey for decades.

“I’m not sure what would have happened if they had said another city,” he said with a laugh. “I think having the Games here is going to be a huge success.

“I was involved with the 2016 Women’s Under-18 World Junior Hockey Championship in St. Catharines. Hockey Canada was impressed with the way that went. The same thing is going to happen with the Canada Summer Games.”

Brock University is one of the bid committee’s biggest supporters.

A sports centre and track and field stadium will be built for the Games on Brock property across from regional headquarters on Merrittville Highway. The facility and its training areas will be available for use by other community and rehabilitation programs after the Games end.

“When the idea behind the bid started to take root, we got excited about it at Brock,” said Neil Lumsden, the university’s director of athletics and recreation

“It will extend our reach into the community and create opportunities for our young athletes. They won’t have to go elsewhere to develop. We can keep them here.”