News Release
Regional Council Votes to Kick-Off Bid Process for Women’s World Cup Soccer
(December 7, 2010) - Halifax Regional Council offered its support today to the first steps of a bid to be a host city for the 2015 Women’s World Cup of soccer.
Council passed a motion to continue as a candidate bid city for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, to expedite public input, to explore private and public funding opportunities, and to have Events Nova Scotia allocate the non-refundable $25,000 bid fee.
The motion of Council also included the provision that - based on confirmation of a business case and a commitment to an appropriate Women’s World Cup venue by March 1, 2011 - Council would provide a commitment to the required operational financing which includes $250,000, value-in-kind services and a $2 million operational support fee. The required operational financing is payable to the Canadian Soccer Association in 2015, should Halifax be selected as a host city.
The bid requirements seek an outdoor venue with a minimum seating capacity of 20,000, which could include a mix of temporary and permanent seating.
“Council sees this as an opportunity that’s worth exploring,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “For years we have heard about the need for an outdoor venue that will put us in the market for major sports and entertainment events.”
The Canadian Soccer Association will submit Canada’s bid in February 2011. A host country will be selected by FIFA this coming March. Should Canada be chosen, the selection of host cities would begin in April 2011.
Events Nova Scotia commended Council on taking a bold move, despite tight timelines.
“We are committed to working under HRM’s leadership to develop a strong bid and support them in meeting the bid requirements,” said Grant MacDonald, Director of Major Events and Community Partnerships for Events Nova Scotia. “We are encouraged by the level of enthusiasm for both the event and an outdoor venue in Halifax.”
As a next step in the process, Events Nova Scotia will work with municipal staff to determine the best approach to further evaluate the feasibility of the event opportunity.
The Women’s World Cup is the largest female sporting event in the world, broadcast in over 200 countries. In November, the Canadian Soccer Association confirmed its intention to bid for the event and host Canada’s first coast-to-coast major event. If Canada is successful, up to six host cities would be selected to host competition pools in which teams will compete over ten days.
For more information on the bid for the 2015 Women's World Cup visit: http://eventsnovascotia.com/around-the-province.
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Contact:
Mayor Peter Kelly
490-4010
Grant MacDonald
Events Nova Scotia
476-6411
