Thunder Bay has put in its bid in to host the 2016 Can-Am Police-Fire Games.
Dignitaries for the Can-Am games arrived in Thunder Bay Saturday to view some of the city’s attractions and inspect a number of the sporting venues. The two-day tour, which started on Sunday, took them from the Terry Fox Lookout to Hillcrest Park with stops at the Canada Games Complex and the Port Arthur and Fort William stadiums.
“Basically what we’re here for is to see the different venue sites and what’s available in Thunder Bay so we can determine whether or not our event can be held here,” Michael Noski, a founding member of the games said.
“We like to see interactions between the police and fire services with the public as well as their enthusiasm for potentially hosting the games. I’m looking forward to the site and venue visits. I guess we’re going to be busy for the next two days.”
Noski said it is a three-way race between Thunder Bay, Kingston, Ont. and Ames, Iowa, adding there will be another bid presentation next month in St. Cloud, Minn, where the 2012 Games are being held, with the final city chosen later in the year.
The Games offer up about 45 different sports and competitions, from the traditional to the not-so-traditional.
Mainstream sports include archery, basketball, bench press, bowling, three types of pistol shooting, distance running, soccer and hockey. The non-traditional list includes a narcotics dog competition, a cook-off and a Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament.
Thunder Bay Fire and Rescue Chief John Hay said they are working with the Thunder Bay Police Service to put in the best bid possible for the games.
While it will be a challenge to secure the bid, Hay said Thunder Bay has proven in the past that the city can hold large sporting events and both services are fully committed to make the bid work.
“It’s one of the greatest events for police and fire,” Hay said. “They come together and there are no badges or borders when that happens. It’s really great to see and hopefully everyone can watch it a couple of years from now.”
