THUNDER BAY - The excitement for the turn of the decade has already begun after the city announced it will bid to host the 2020 Special Olympics Winter Games.
The bid was submitted on June 16, though city officials made it official on Tuesday at a media conference.
Now the hard work begins in the lead-up to the expected July 28 host city announcement.
Special Olympics officials will come to Thunder Bay for a site visit during the first week of July, which will include a tour of proposed venues, and a presentation.
Paul Burke, the city's special events developer, says Thunder Bay has the capacity and the means to host the Games.
“One really nice thing about these Games, is that Thunder Bay seems to have all the facilities we require for hosting this," Burke said.
He also spoke about potential financial gains the city might realize by hosting the event.
“You’re looking at the city making a contribution of $300,000 towards this, and there’s an economic impact of at least $5.4 million.”
Burke said he would expect to top that mark which was achieved by the city of Corner Brook, N.L. who hosted last year's Games.
In an effort to increase community support, the local bid committee is using the hashtag #getthegames as a social media initiative.
“I think our main goal is to get people involved and bring our athletes closer together,” said James Matijasic, an ambassador for Special Olympics.
Matijasic was involved in the 2011 provincial games in Thunder Bay, and said the success of those games are just another example of why it should be the city of choice.
“I think they can be very successful in Thunder Bay. I guess you could say we have a giant heart. It showed in 2011 and I think it’s going to show in 2020.
If the Games are awarded to Thunder Bay, the city will require approximately 750 volunteers. The eight-sport event is proposed to be held from Feb. 25 to Feb. 29, 2020.
