
Opening ceremonies of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifax. (Photo via NAIG)
The Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc says she doesn’t see any reason why they won’t bid again to host the North American Indigenous Games.
This, after Calgary was chosen as the host for the 2027 Games last Friday.
Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir says – while disappointed – there may have been reasons Calgary was selected over the Indigenous-led B.C. bid.
“I know that for Calgary, it is the first time that the games will be held in Alberta since the inaugural event first happened in 1990,” she said on NL Newsday. “I know in British Columbia, it has taken place over on the Island as well.”
The games have been held in B.C. on two occasions, in Victoria in 1997 and in Cowichan in 2008.
This year’s edition of the North American Indigenous Games wrapped up in Halifax over the weekend. Organizers there suggested the Games likely pumped around $27-million worth of direct economic impact into the city.
“For us, when we though of hosting the NAIG, we also thought also of the healing power,” Casimir said. “We had that collective desire to do something really great and good for our youth here in British Columbia, and it was something that we were so excited about.”
“We look forward to cheering on our members and other athletes from B.C. as they compete in the wonderful city of Calgary.”
Casimir also suggests any future bid might need to come after issues with infrastructure capacity in Kamloops are addressed. She says the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax – which can seat over 10,000 people – was packed.
“Very little space for parents, and spectators,” Casimir said. “There were many that were turned away so you know looking at opportunities like that is something that would have to be looking at int he future, because I know in Kamloops, I think our arena holds what 5,500?”
Her comments Friday echo those made earlier in the year, when Casimir said if Tk’emlúps was successful in its bid, there could be additional infrastructure built up to accommodate the Games.
“It includes building up the lands for campgrounds and RV parks and a potential hotel down the road,” Casimir said, noting Tk’emlúps was working on its community plan.
“There are a whole bunch of different things that we do have on the go, and we are pretty excited about what its going to mean for our community but its also looking at how we’re going to working with other community when it comes to the tourism and other aspects”
In Kamloops, City Council has taken the first steps toward trying to fast-track goals in the Recreation Master Plan, by creating the Build Kamloops Select Committee.
It would mirror a similar group established ahead of the Nov. 2003 Tournament Capital Referendum. Back then, 54 per cent of Kamloops residents voted in favour of borrowing $37.6 million to fund facilities at McArthur Island Sports and Events Centre, Norbrock Stadium, and the Tournament Capital Centre, including Hillside Stadium.
The provincial government contributed $8 million towards these facilities while the federal government added another $2 million.
The City’s Build Kamloops strategy could send residents is expected to send Kamloopsians to a referendum, possibly as early as this fall.
It would include borrowing for a suite of new facilities, including a performing-arts centre, a new leisure pool on the North Shore, additional ice rinks, and a large curling club facility to accommodate consolidation of both current curling clubs.
– With files from Paul James