Halifax 2014 Announces International Bid Budget
Halifax 2014 today, Nov. 30, announced the details of its international bid budget.
The budget of $14,310,200 covers the preparation of a detailed bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
"This is a serious budget for a serious bid," said Fred MacGillivray, president and chair of Halifax 2014. "We recognize and accept our responsibility to manage it prudently in order to prepare a bid that creates a lasting legacy and sustainable benefits for Halifax, Nova Scotia and Canada."
The international bid budget covers activities related to detailed planning and design of all Games venues and facilities including competition and non-competition venues and the athletes' village; local, national and international sport legacy and development programs; and a bid team including local, national and international experts. It also covers promotion of the bid locally, nationally and internationally; a delegation to Sri Lanka for the final presentation and vote in November 2007; and, administration and operational costs.
The Halifax 2014 bid committee includes experts who have games experience to ensure Halifax's bid meets the stringent and comprehensive requirements dictated by the Commonwealth Games Federation for the international bid process.
"The requirements of preparing a winning bid for major multi-sport Games have increased dramatically in the last several years," said Scott Logan, Halifax 2014 CEO. "Our international bid budget reflects the level of detail and planning we are engaged in -- making sure we have the most accurate and detailed Games-time plans and cost estimates that meet the requirements of the Commonwealth Games Federation."
The budget includes funding from several sources including Halifax 2014's primary funding partners, the federal, provincial and municipal governments, as well as corporate and business contributions.
The federal and provincial government will each contribute $3.5 million. Halifax Regional Municipality will contribute $3 million and corporate partnerships will account for $3.73 million. The remaining $580,200 will come from other sources including merchandising and lottery efforts for a total of $14,310,200.
A breakdown of the $14,310,200 budget is as follows: $2,286,193, partnerships and relationships; $3,742,112, compensation and benefits; $2,986,137, finance and administration; $2,458,558, corporate partnership, marketing and communications; and $2,837,200 for games planning.
In addition to the federal government's investment in the international bid budget, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced $2 million in support of economic and business development opportunities associated with attracting the Games and strengthening local expertise in attracting major events.
"The investment made today by our primary funding partners is not only a financial contribution -- it's a tangible commitment towards realizing the full benefits of hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games," said Mr. MacGillivray. "We thank each of our government partners for their ongoing commitment and confidence in our collective effort to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games."
"Clearly, our government partners have come through with a solid commitment to Canada's bid for the 2014 Games," said Dr. Andrew Pipe, president of Commonwealth Games Canada. "We see this as a strong vote of confidence and look forward with renewed optimism to what we'll be able to accomplish together."
The Commonwealth Games are an international sport and cultural event held every four years in which athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories compete. In December 2005, Halifax won the right to be Canada's candidate city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
In competition with Glasgow, Scotland, and Abuja, Nigeria, the Halifax 2014 bid committee is now focused on developing and winning the international bid, which will be awarded by the Commonwealth Games Federation on Nov. 9, 2007, in Sri Lanka.