Moncton bids on 2015 Women's World Cup games

Moncton will vie to become one of six host cities as Canada bids to host FIFA's Women's World Cup in 2015.

Moncton council voted on Monday night to become one of the Canadian host cities for the 2015 Women's World Cup, but not all councillors agree with the decision.

Mayor George LeBlanc said the city had events, such as the international soccer tournament, in mind when the stadium was constructed.

"We have a fantastic facility here in Moncton, and this is an opportunity and I think it would be a shame to miss it," LeBlanc said.

Countries are now bidding to host the premiere women's international soccer tournament. FIFA, soccer's international governing body, will accept bid books from interested nations until mid-February.

The Canadian Soccer Association announced in November that it would make a run at landing the sporting event. But at the time the association did not say what six cities would host the games if the country won the tournament.

The country with the winning bid also earns the right to host the Under-20 Women's World Cup in 2014.

The last two times Canada hosted international soccer events, Atlantic Canada was left out as the games were held in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

Cost concerns

It will cost Moncton $25,000 just to bid to host the games in Canada. And if the games were held in Moncton, it would cost another $250,000 and possibly another $2 million from the provincial government.

The University of Moncton unveiled the new stadium in the summer and has already hosted the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships and a regular season Candian Football League game.

There is now controversy brewing over the cost of the stadium.

The facility was supposed to cost the city $3.5 million, but Coun. Brian Hicks said it will actually be $10 million.

Hicks said he's growing concerned about the rising costs of these types of events.

The city also needs to work out a deal with the provincial government or the federal government to put another 10,000 seats in the stadium.

Those financial unknowns had Hicks and Coun. Kathryn Barnes vote against the initiative.

Barnes said the city is trying to attract too many concerts and international sporting events that most Moncton residents do not care about.

"Many people tell me they don't mean a thing to them, they don't go to them," Barnes said.

Coun. Paulette Theriault, however, said at the council meeting she was pleased to hear city staff felt Moncton has a chance at landing the event.

"We need to look at this from a big picture perspective," Theriault said.

The city is giving itself until the end of January to work out a deal for the extra seats.