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Red Deer bidding for 2019 Winter Games

A Red Deer delegation will head to Edmonton for the next step in the city’s bid to host the 2019 Winter Games today.

A Red Deer delegation will head to Edmonton for the next step in the city’s bid to host the 2019 Winter Games today.

The five-person group will learn more about the bid process, community expectations, timetables and the proposed funding from the federal and provincial governments.

On Monday, city council approved 13 appointments to the 2019 Winter Games Bid Planning Ad Hoc Committee including community builder Lyn Radford, who was named chairperson.

“Red Deer is definitely poised to take on this task,” said Radford. “I don’t think we’ll ever be readier.”

Mayor Morris Flewwelling said this is an exciting time as the city moves forward in its attempts to host the sporting winter event. Red Deer lost its bid to host the Winter Games in 1995 to Grande Prairie.

In the past, the federal and provincial governments have committed $3 million each in capital funding. In terms of operating, in the past games both governments have contributed $8.1 million each.

Council voted in August to host all sports locally except for synchronized swimming which will be hosted at an off-site venue and athletes village likely in Calgary.

The shortlist of cities will be announced in February 2014. In September 2014, the successful community will be announced. The city must submit its intention by the end of November.

“One of my goals in these games is really to build the next generation ready to take that leadership over,” said Radford.

The budget implications of the bid will be considered during the 10-year Capital Plan deliberations in November.

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com