(August 11, 2009) Ottawa - The Canada Games Council (CGC) has received three letters of Intent to Bid from British Columbia communities wishing to host the 2015 Canada Winter Games.

 

After the official launch of the 2015 Bid Process in June of 2009, interested communities had until August 7^th, 2009 to deliver their intent to bid. The Communities that have confirmed their intent to bid by the deadline include the City of Kamloops, the City of Kelowna and the City of Prince George.

 

“The Canada Games Council is excited that three worthy communities will enter the race to be chosen as the host of the 2015 Canada Games,” says Larry Smith, Chairman of the Canada Games Council. “After initial information sessions and receiving the bid procedure guide, these communities already understand the work it will take to produce a final bid. We look forward to a very competitive process.”

 

The bid process will now enter into a Technical Review Phase where information must be provided by the communities by October 2, 2009. After the technical phase, up to three short listed bid communities will then be given until May 28, 2010 to submit their Bid Proposal to the Canada Games Bid Evaluation Committee who will review and score based on the bid material and a site visit in each community.

 

“British Columbia has a strong, regional sport system through its infrastructure investments, Hosting BC program and local community investments,” says B.C. Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong. “Each of these three communities has extensive experience hosting world-class sport events at world-class facilities. Based on the energy and enthusiasm we’ve already seen in the process, I am certain the bid committee will receive very competitive final bid packages.”

 

For the 2015 bid process, the Canada Games Bid Evaluation Committee will be chaired by Canada Games Council board member and President of the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Yukon Piers McDonald. The Canada Games Council’s Bid Evaluation Committee will be responsible for a detailed review of bidding communities and making a recommendation on the award of the Games to the Council’s Board of Directors.

 

The final recommendation from the Canada Games Board of Directors will be delivered to the Province of British Columbia and then announced publicly by the Council and the Province in October 2010.

 

Having hosted the 1973 Canada Summer Games in New Westminster and Burnaby and the 1993 Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, the 2015 Canada Games will mark the third time the Games are hosted in the province of British Columbia and the first time for British Columbia to host a Winter Games.