By Lisa Kearns, City of Burlington Ward 2 and Regional Councillor
The Hamilton 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid Corporation has drafted a letter of support outlining why the 2030 Commonwealth Games should be held in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region. The Games would span eight municipalities and two First Nations with benefits accruing to many neighbouring regions. They have outlined, in the joint letter of support, the proposed investment required from the Ontario government of $440 million, along with federal and private sector funding. The benefits of hosting this major sporting event are vast, and it is essential that all levels of government understand what these benefits are.
At its meeting of council on January 24, council directed the mayor to add her signature on behalf of the City of Burlington to a joint letter of support for the Hamilton 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid to the Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.
Economic impact
The economic impact that hosting a major international event like this will bring to our region cannot be understated. It would be a one-time, multi-year, pan-community building opportunity that boosts Ontario’s economy, drives private sector investments, and delivers economic impact far beyond just ticket sales! The potential for job creation and long-term sustainable development that could come from hosting this event is immense.
Hosting the Games in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Region will bring significant benefits for local tourism, businesses, and sports organizations. The games are also expected to bring 16,000 new jobs to the region and more than $400 million in Games contracts for local businesses.
Community support
The previous 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham recently revealed that people living in host cities had an increased sense of pride and community spirit since their city was chosen to host them. This is something we could see here in our own region as it would create jobs and opportunities for residents while bringing together different communities under one common cause. Not only would there be newfound visibility for local businesses but also an opportunity to show off all our region has to offer on a global stage.
Infrastructure improvements
The infrastructure improvements alone made possible by hosting such a large-scale event could benefit our communities for many years after the games conclude. This includes things like transportation upgrades as well as improved sports facilities, which could then be used by local teams and organizations long after the games end. This could also help us become more competitive when bidding on other large events or even help attract new businesses to move into our region due to its improved infrastructure capabilities.
Hosting the Games provides a platform for showcasing environmental and sustainability best practices, improving the sustainability habits and behaviours of people and businesses for the long term, and is a powerful enabler in achieving Ontario’s commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Hosting any major international event brings with it both risks and rewards but when done correctly, it can bring significant benefits to everyone involved, including governments at all levels and the private sector, which can provide financial backing for these projects. With proper planning and commitment from all sides involved, hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games in our region could prove beneficial for many years after they conclude, not just economically, but socially as well. We need to ensure that we capitalize on every opportunity presented by these Games so that everyone across our region will benefit from them long after they’re over!
Read the motion memorandum, including the contents of the letter of support, by clicking here. You can also read our previous article on the Commonwealth Games Committee’s presentation to the Burlington Chamber of Commerce outlining the benefits of the Games to local businesses here.
