Halifax wants federal boost for Commonwealth Games bid

Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly says the city is still keen to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but the federal government must throw in more money for its bid to stand a chance.

Halifax is competing for the Games against Glasgow, Scotland and Abuja, Nigeria. Kelly says if Ottawa sticks by its policy of not contributing more than 35 per cent for international sporting events, then Halifax will not be competitive.

"We cannot mortgage the future of our children or our grandchildren," he said Wednesday. "We can't go the $1.1 billion spent by Manchester, the $1.3 billion spent by Melbourne or what looks like $1.5 billion in New Delhi. If that's where we've got to go, we won't be at there at the other end."

Host of the 2002 Commonwealth Games was Manchester, England, while host of the event this year was Melbourne, Australia. New Delhi, host of the 2010 Games, has already begun work on the facilities needed.

Halifax has to submit its bid before May 2007 and a host city will be chosen in the fall of next year. Ottawa is reviewing its policy and Kelly said he hopes it adjusts it before that application date.

Halifax was chosen last year to make the Canadian bid for the 2014 Games.

Last year, the official bid committee indicated that hosting the Games might reach $785 million. This week, the committee said it is expected that the bid will come in under $1 billion.