NORTH BATTLEFORD - The City of North Battleford is looking at potentially hosting the Saskatchewan Games again by the end of this decade.
Council passed a resolution at their meeting Monday which authorized administration to investigate and bring back options regarding the future hosting of the 2028 Saskatchewan Summer Games or the 2030 Saskatchewan Winter Games in early 2024. That resolution passed unanimously.
North Battleford last hosted the Winter Games in 2018, with a bid amount of $1.3 million and upwards of 1,000 to 1,200 volunteers.
The issue of hosting the Games again was raised after the city received a letter from the Saskatchewan Games sent out to various communities, formally inviting them to make a bid for the 2026 Games.
At their meeting Monday, Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl DeNeire noted the tight timelines for submitting a 2026 bid, which would involve striking a committee and preparing a bid package. For 2026, a technical application would have to be submitted by Sept. 15 of this year, with a comprehensive bid due in by Jan. 14, 2024.
Instead of making that bid for 2026, DeNeire’s memo to the city called for holding off and recommended gauging levels of interest from the community until for the 2028 or 2030 Games. The thinking is that by doing do, the city will be in a better position to make a bid for those Games.
“It is important that if we host the Games again, we do so to the same level of excellence as was done in 2018,” DeNeire’s memo stated. “This takes time and proper planning. The deadline for submitting a bid on the 2026 Games is now very short and would have to be developed during the summer months, a time when many residents are away.”
It was noted that by May 2024 the city should also have a clearer idea on other events or projects happening in the community. Twin Rivers Curling Club has indicated they are bidding for major events in 2025, including potentially hosting the Provincial Tankard and the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling series. DeNeire noted those events would require substantial volunteer and financial support.
Also in the works for the city in coming years is potential development of the trails system, a potential new Splash Park, development of more soccer fields, and the start of efforts towards a new arena to replace the existing Access Communications Centre. DeNeire indicated fundraising for the arena will be taking place between 2024 and 2034.
In general, council members were on board with holding off until for the 2028 or 2030 Games, which it was noted will give the city time to consult with potential partners including the Town of Battleford on how to proceed.
Councillor Kelli Hawtin pointed out that for their successful 2018 bid, Destination Battlefords was a main driver behind the effort. But that organization has been in the process of reorganization and is only now being ramped up.
She supported having discussions on 2028 or 2030, and on getting a better idea about their own assets for hosting a Games. “Is Summer Games something we have the ability to host? We hosted the Winter Games very successfully with the assets we have. Do we have the assets for the Summer Games? This gives us time to have that discussion.”
