The Halifax 2011 Canada Games have broken another record. The February event generated more than $130 million in economic activity in Nova Scotia, created more than 1,100 jobs, and $40 million in wages and salaries.
More than 11,500 people visited Halifax for the Games.
Games Chairman Jean-Paul Deveau and Games CEO Chris Morrissey announced this today, July 5, at their final presentation to HRM Council.
"I'm very proud to report that the Games were a financial success," said Mr. Deveau. "It was vital to our board of directors that these Games leave a positive fiscal legacy. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, and the support of the community and province, we can look back on the 2011 Games as a success in every sense of the word."
The Games also leave behind a $200,000 surplus, to be added to the Games Legacy Fund, which will have a value of $1.5 million.
"Our Government is proud to have supported the 2011 Canada Games in Halifax," said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). "These Games have given us a tremendous legacy, and by supporting them our Government delivered on its commitment to strengthen communities through sport and physical activity. The 2011 Canada Games have brought long-lasting and sustainable sport, social, cultural and economic benefits to Halifax and to Nova Scotia."
The event brought federal government tax revenues of $10.5 million, and an additional $10 million in taxes to the province. About $1.9 million in taxes was created in municipalities throughout the province, including $1.2 million in HRM.
"The 2011 Games have set the bar for putting on a world-class event while engaging the community and balancing the budget," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "The legacy of these Games will continue to benefit Nova Scotians for years to come."
As part of the Games' legacy, the Host Society will give three refrigeration units to the Halifax Regional Municipality to help the Canada Games Oval become permanent on the Halifax Common. In exchange, HRM will ensure dedicated training time for high-performance athletes on the 400-metre oval, and has committed to hosting annual Canada Games Days to commemorate the 2011 Games.
"The Games offered an opportunity for our municipality to shine thanks in large measure to the professionalism of the organizers and the enthusiasm of the many volunteers," said Mayor Peter Kelly. "To learn that the Games were also a financial success is wonderful way to cap the hosting experience."
"The success of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games helped produce the largest economic impact in the history of the Canada Games," said Canada Games council chair Tom Quinn. "The infrastructure and the financial surplus will have a tremendous impact on the community and will creating lasting legacies for generations to come."
The Games helped boost the number of room nights sold in Nova Scotia by 16 per cent in February 2011 compared to 2010.
The Host Society exceeded its sponsorship target of $8.2 million and its ticket sales target of $1 million.
Attendance at sporting events was strong, with sold-out events at almost all Games venues. More than 400,000 people streamed Games action live on www.bellaliant.net. An estimated 50,000 people attended free concerts in Celebration Square at Grand Parade.
The Halifax 2011 Canada Games Final Report can be found online at www.canadagames2011.ca .
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FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Halifax 2011 Canada Games has broken another record. The February event generated more than 130-million-dollars in economic activity in Nova Scotia, the largest economic impact of a Canada Games.
The Games created more than 11-hundred jobs, and 40-million-dollars in wages and salaries. More than 11-hundred 5-hundred people visited Halifax for the Games in February.
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Media Contacts: Chris Morrissey
2011 Canada Games
Cell: 476-7999
E-mail: chris.morrissey@canadagames2011.ca
Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality
902-490-4010
