By Pepper Parr
January 17th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
The buzz among those who follow world class multi sport games is that Hamilton – Burlington is seen as the likely choice for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. An event hosting over 70 countries that will be watched by over 1 billion people internationally.
Originally known as the British Empire Games when they were held in Hamilton in 1930
Part of the reason for the choice is because the original games in 1930 took place in Hamilton – at that time they were called the British Empire Games – that was when the United Kingdom was an Empire – and 2030 will mark the centenary of the only multi sport Games event founded in Canada
The people leading the BID for the Games have support from several regional chambers’ of commerce, indigenous groups, a number of post secondary institutions and a large number of domestic sports associations who are all excited about the impact and legacy of this event were it to be held in Ontario in 2030.
The venues are spread over a large part of GTA West through to the Niagara Region
There is going to be a meeting of leaders from involved municipalities later this week. Included are: Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge Ancaster, St. Catharines, Mississauga, Milton and Welland.
The 2030 Games are being described as an event that will have a positive impact for the entire GTA West through to Niagara area. Based on data from previous Games in the past impact is not minimal – it tends to be huge.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) prefers a host city to be between three quarters to one and a half million in size and reasonably close to a major city. That’s almost a perfect description of the Hamilton Burlington community.
Interested citizens tour part of the property where some of the Games infrastructure could be located.
Alinea , a private sector land owner, is interested in part of their 50 hectare site that runs west from King Road up to the eastern edge of the Aldershot GO station being used for some of the games events – at no cost to the city, as a way of accelerating the positive impact associated with the Games in advance of 2030.
Funding is being sought from both the federal and provincial governments. Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism and Sport was handling the file but Ontario’s participation will be decided by . the Office of the Premier of Ontario which is where the file is now.
What many people are unaware of is the structure of the Commonwealth Games. First – they are squeaky clean – not something one has been able to say about FIFA or the Olympics.
While sports is a focal point the Commonwealth Games Federation puts a big emphasis on the Games making a lasting positive mark on the host community.
The Bid Committee is now pulling together the local support that is a part of bringing the international events to a community.
More information about how they hope to do that can be found here: Hamilton2030.ca
