After sharing almost no information with the public for over eight months, even during the recent municipal election, members of Burlington City Council now seem enthusiastic about the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games bid that could see Aldershot involvement.
The topic came up at a meeting of City Council this week. The plan was simply to endorse Hamilton’s request for provincial money, but Burlington politicians went even further. They strongly implied that they are increasingly on side for the games, despite Mayor Marianne Meed Ward’s 2022 caution that no planning application gets to jump the queue.
“This is really going to be one of the premiere and most prestigious undertakings that our city may see in the next decade of two. …We can definitely do what we’ve been asked to do in this potential location,” said Councillor Lisa Kearns.
Burlington developer Alinea (formerly Penta) is working in conjunction with the Hamilton bid. They are proposing to use their 49 acres of vacant land south of the 403 between the GO station and King Road to build facilities for the games. They have spoken publicly about track and field, tennis, and gymnastics facilities along with an athletes’ village. Mention has also been made of Sheridan College involvement.
If the plan went through, it would include a highly desirable south service road. So far, however, Alinea has not formally submitted a planning application to the city.
While there has been mainly silence about the idea from City Hall since May of 2022, apparently work has been going on quietly behind the scenes.
“We’ve been working on this project for several months now. We have a site here in Burlington at 1200 King that’s a very important part of that bid,” commented Aldershot Councillor Kelvin Galbraith.
Councillor Paul Sharman joined in signalling his endorsement.
“They want to help us activate this city and help achieve its potential. …We are just at the beginning of what might be possible here. …I’m sure there will be some people who might be overwhelmed by what might be coming here.”
Burlington City Hall’s position at this point is based on the promise by the Hamilton bid committee and Alinea that they will not ask the city for any funding for the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s a very exciting opportunity,” said Councillor Rory Nisan.
