Halifax bids for 2015 Women's World Cup games

A Halifax group is fielding a bid to be a host city if Canada wins the rights to hold the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2015.

Events Nova Scotia submitted the technical requirements on Friday in support of the bid to be a host city, should Canada's bid be successful.

"It was very much a tech document, it was about proximity of airports, number of hotels, medical facilities, information such as that," said Grant MacDonald, a director with Events Nova Scotia.

"But one of the requirements that we currently don't have is detailed info about an existing event ready facility."

Halifax does not have a stadium large enough to host the international event but MacDonald said Events Nova Scotia has worked with an architect to develop some conceptual drawings, which are available on the group's website.

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.

Canada has hosted other international soccer events, such as the U-19 Women's World Cup in 2002 and the men's U-20 World Cup in 2007.

The 2007 men's event generated $43 million in taxes and $259 million in economic activity in the host communities.

Other cities hoping to host games include Moncton, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Maritime competition

Halifax and Moncton have been locked in a recent battle as the two Maritime cities compete toattract big concerts and sporting events.

Moncton recently lured the Uteck Bowl away from Halifax, a decision that provoked a lot of controversy in Halifax, which had hosted the event for more than 30 years.

Uteck Bowl, the national university football semifinal game,will be played at the University of Moncton's new stadium in 2011, 2013 and 2015.

Moncton has capitalized on the new stadium at the University of Moncton to host the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships in the summer and a regular season Canadian Football League came in September.

The Moncton stadium can be expanded to hold 20,000 spectators.

Moncton city council recently approved the $25,000 fee to enter the bidding contest to host world cup matches if Canada is successful at winning the right to hold the event.