Hat gets first crack at hosting 2026 Special Olympic Summer Games

By COLLIN GALLANT on July 28, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

The Hat will have first crack to host the 2026 Canadian Special Olympic Summer Games, making up for losing the 2022 games that were first shuffled and eventually cancelled, a city committee heard on Monday.

The pandemic has negated the ability to hold provincial qualifying tournaments this year toward what would be the national competition next summer.

Local organizers say however, that as the rotation starts again, the winning local bid can be updated to secure the Games five years from now.

“It was the biggest disappointment you could imagine, the cancellation,” said Ken Sauer, the vice-chair of the Alberta Games Society, which organized the 2022 bid.

He says new discussions with Special Olympics Canada allow Medicine Hat the right of first refusal in the process, meaning that if it puts together a bid that meets specifications, it won’t be judged against competing proposals.

“Everyone is very positive about (rebidding), and it will be a great opportunity to show off Medicine Hat, and show what a caring and compassionate community we have here,” said Sauer.

The city itself is being asked to contribute $300,000 plus $200,000 toward a contingency fund and as well be liable for any financial loss recorded on the $2.5 million budget.

Similar local events have never lost money, the organizing committee said prior to the 2022 bid process, as budgets are typically adjusted throughout the planning process. The full amount would only be required if no other funds were received, and the Games still went ahead as planned.

If council supports the committee motion on Aug. 3, the municipal grants comprise $100,000 per year outlays, with the first $200,000 held in trust.

Committee vice-chair Coun. Jim Turner told the News he would like the Games sooner, but the new longer-term planning would make the economics easier both for the city and in light of corporate sponsorships

“I think it will be a great event for the city,” he said.

The weeklong event, tentatively set for Aug. 9-16, would involve about 1,200 athletes, more than 300 caregivers ad 150 officials, not including families and friends of athletes.

Along with the $300,000 grant from the city, the $2.5 million projected budget includes grants from Special Olympics Canada ($650,000) and the province ($500,000), combined fundraising and casino events ($625,000) and sponsorships ($300,000). The remainder would come from registration fees, merchandise and minor items.

No major capital spending is required. Almost half of the expenses, $1.2 million, involve accommodation, food and transportation for athletes.

The city spent no money towards the 2020 bid as they were paused before the city’s contributions of some funds and mostly gifts in kind of facilities were due.

The event is held every four years for athletes with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The city successfully hosted the 2017 Alberta Special Olympic summer games, and the 2026 national event would be the largest multi-sport event for the city since the 2016 Alberta Winter Games.

The 10 sports involved are athletics (track and field), basketball, bocce, 10-pin bowling, golf, weightlifting, rhythmic gymnastics, soccer, softball and swimming.

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