Thursday, January 26, 2017
Sault Star
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service sees a golden opportunity to host the 2019 Special Olympics Winter Games.
City police will submit a bid on Friday to Special Olympics Ontario. It's not known how many other communities will vie to hold the competition, Const. Shaun Beaulieu told reporters following a presentation to Sault Ste. Marie Police Services Board on Thursday.
Special Olympics marks 50 years in Ontario in 2019.
If the bid, prepared with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, is successful, an estimated 450 athletes and coaches would be in the city Jan. 31 to Feb. 3, 2019. About another 550 family, friends and police officers are also expected, said Tourism Sault Ste. Marie sports and special events manager Alana Kenopic. She “wouldn't be surprised” if the economic impact of the sports competition would be close to $2 million.
“I think we could all use a boost right now,” Kenopic told the board during the meeting at Civic Centre.
“This one will have a significant economic impact on our community,” said Ian McMillan, executive director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.
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