Winnipeg will play host to the Canada Summer Games in 2017. Officials made the announcement Friday afternoon at The Forks.
The Canada Summer Games were last held in Manitoba in 1997 when Brandon hosted. The Wheat City was also the last Manitoba city to host the Canada Winter Games, in 1979.
The Games have been held every two years since 1967, alternating between summer and winter events.
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The decision on which city in the province will host the games was made by the Canada Games Council and the provincial government.
“We are very pleased to be able to welcome the 2017 Canada Summer Games to Winnipeg,” Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz is quoted in a news release. “Our city has a long history of providing first-class hospitality to athletes and visitors during large sporting and cultural events. I am confident that the 2017 Canada Summer Games will be no exception.”
Katz says the games will pump $130 million into the city’s economy.
The City of Winnipeg says it has begun the initial groundwork for the Games. Nineteen potential venues have been identified and a Host Society will be in place by August 2013.
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