EDMONTON - The head of university athletics in Canada says she has "tremendous confidence" in Edmonton's ability to stage a successful World University Games in 2015, should the city land the event.
"We were delighted that Edmonton and the University of Alberta were interested and put their hat in the ring to bring these games to Canada," said Marg McGregor, chief executive officer of Canadian Interuniversity Sports.
McGregor was part of a four-member selection team that was in town today to learn more about Edmonton's bid and get a tour of its sports, cultural and housing facilities. The group's itinerary included a morning helicopter tour of the venues that would be used for the Universiade, followed by an evening trip to Commonwealth Stadium to watch David Beckham's soccer match.
Edmonton, which hosted the University Games in 1983, is competing against Quebec City for the right to become Canada's official bid city. After visits to both sites, Canadian Interuniversity Sports is scheduled to make its selection on June 12.
McGregor said that during the aerial tour of Edmonton she was impressed with the city's sports facilities and parks and how close together they are located.
"From an athlete's perspective, it's really beneficial not to have to spend long hours in a vehicle driving from site to site," she said.
McGregor also praised the city's strategic plan to host the games, including a $155-million operating budget and $100 million for upgrading and adding new facilities.
"There is a tremendous degree of thoroughness and diligence in the bid documents. It's obvious that the city has gone through this process before."
Whichever city winds up winning Canadian Interuniversity Sports' backing will have climbed just one hurdle in long, competitive process, McGregor said.
The next step will be to get approval and funding commitments from the federal government, which isn't guaranteed.
The Canadian Olympic Committee recently decided to support Toronto's pitch to host the 2015 Pan-American Games, and it's unlikely the government would agree to fund bids for both that event and the University Games in the same year, she said.
Then, even if Ottawa decides to go ahead with a bid for the 2015 Universiade, the nominee must still compete against bids from all over the world. The International University Sports Federation is scheduled to make a decision on a host city in May 2009.
John Barry, a former U of A administrator who is serving as the executive director of Edmonton's 2015 effort, said the University Games may represent Edmonton's last chance in the next 20 years to host a major international sporting event.
"It's probably our best chance of landing something, so you have to go for it."
kgerein@thejournal.canwest.com