Moncton-Dieppe bid to host 2021 Francophonie Games

An evaluation committee for the Games of La Francophonie is in the Moncton area this week, to hear the city's bid to host the 2021 games.

So far, the provincial government has spent $20,000 to prepare its formal bid.

The committee is touring facilities,and meeting with provincial and municipal officials, as well asfrancophoneorganizations.

"One of the big strengths of our candidacy is that the region holds all the elementsand infrastructure needed to host exemplary Games of LaFrancophonie," said Eric MathieuDoucet, a member of theMoncton-Dieppebid committee.

Games of LaFrancophonieis an international sport and cultural competition held every four years since 1989. Sports include basketball, handball and wrestling, to cultural events such assculpture and song.

Participation is open to athletes and artists from member nations in the International Organization of LaFrancophonie.

We have demonstrated time and time again that we have what it takes to host events of international scope.- George LeBlanc, Mayor of Moncton

La Francophonie has a strong Canadian connection, as former governor generalMichalleJean waschosen as secretary-general last November.

"We have demonstrated time and time again that we have what it takes to host events of international scope," said GeorgeLeBlanc, the Mayor ofMoncton.

LeBlanctold the evaluation committee at a press conference held at the Capitol Theatre Tuesday thatMonctonhas a proven track record of hosting international sporting events, includingFIFAWomen's World Cup, and theIAAFWorld Junior Championships.

"Our world-class infrastructure, our community's strong volunteerism culture, our business sector's unwavering commitment," were all pointed out byLeBlanc.

Part of the international committee's evaluation will include tours of theUniversitedeMonctonstadium, the facilities at Mount Allison University andCrandallUniversity.

MahamanLawanSeriba, Director of theInternatinalCommiteewith the Games of LaFrancophonie, said it is doing the same evaluation process with the two other cities in the running tohost, Sherbrooke, Quebec andGuadeloupe, France.

"The next step is on March 1, that's when the cities will be a ranked1st, 2nd, 3rd," saidSeribain French.

By March the province expects to spend a total of approximately $100,000 to pay for official visits to sites and for variouspresentations inthe bidding process.

A spokesperson with the province saidthe government is working with the municipalities ofDieppe andMonctonto share the costs.

If the province is successful in its bid for the 2021 games, the province estimates it will cost $15-million to host.

New Brunswick wants to split thatbill between the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

The government alsoestimates some of the cost of hosting willbe covered by ticket sales, sponsorship and private partnerships.