Skip to content

City backs away from winter games bid

The 2016 Alberta Winter Games will not be coming to Red Deer.

The 2016 Alberta Winter Games will not be coming to Red Deer.

On Monday, city council supported city administration’s recommendation not to place a bid for the games in light of the city’s interest in hosting the 2019 Canada Winter Games.

Councillors voted 6-3 in support of not making the bid.

Councillors Chris Stephan, Buck Buchanan and Frank Wong were opposed.

Stephan said he thought it would be a good opportunity for the community, particularly local athletes who would be more likely to participate in the provincial games rather than the national games.

Buchanan said council is putting all its eggs in one basket and questioned what will happen if they lose the bid.

“We are missing an opportunity,” said Buchanan. “Then all of a sudden we don’t get the big one, what are we saying to our community? We already have the facilities. To me it’s a no brainer.”