Victoria to bid for 2022 Commonwealth Games
Victoria will submit a bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games by the end of the month that includes building new housing, improving sports facilities and running on a practical, modest budget, said businessman David Black at his Oak Bay home Wednesday.
“We think we have a pretty good shot here … it’s Canada’s turn,” said Black, chairman of the committee putting together the bid.
He was joined by Suzanne Weckend, a two-time Commonwealth Games athlete, former board member and local teacher, on the bid committee team.
“The games have doubled in size and we think we have some creative ways to deliver the facilities that are required for a highperformance, multi-sport event,” said Weckend.
The 2022 games were initially awarded to Durban, South Africa, but the designation was rescinded in March when financial commitments were not met.
Several cities stepped forward. Victoria sent a letter of support signed by most of the region’s mayors.
Some competitors have since backed away, citing costs and a lack of local buy-in, but Britain is still a strong contender with Liverpool and Birmingham. Multiple Australian cities are likely to bid, but the 2018 Games are already taking place there. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is also in the running.
Black said Victoria should be at the top of the list.
“We have a lot of facilities in place, which we think reduces the capital costs,” said Black, who chaired the committee that won the 1994 bid to host the games.
He said the majority of funding will come from the federal and provincial governments, with the rest generated from advertising, sponsorship and sales.
He wouldn’t put a figure on the estimated budget, lest the competition get wind of it, but called it: “much less than the current games are scheduled to be.”