Rocky road led to Halifax Games bid collapse

Rocky road led to Games bid collapse 
Weeks before proposal was scuttled, organizers knew it was in financial trouble, documents show
By MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE Staff Reporter 
Sat. Apr 4 - 4:46 AM

City councillors Jim Smith, Sue Uteck and Debbie Hum display the letter they received announcing the with-drawal of the Halifax 2014 Commonwealth Games bid in March 2007.(Tim Krochak / Staff)

Just over two years ago, many Nova Scotians were stunned when Canada's bid to have Halifax host the 2014 Commonwealth Games suddenly died due to cost concerns.

The collapse of what supporters had felt was the best of three international bids seemed to come out of the blue.

But previously confidential documents show organizers and government partners knew weeks before the $1.7-billion proposal went belly up that the bid was not on solid ground financially.

And copies of minutes from Halifax 2014 executive committee meetings in early 2007 show the now-defunct committee was worried about key fiscal details being disclosed publicly prior to budget approval. The bid was yanked in March of that year.

Public relations specialist Deborah Hashey, who used to speak on behalf of the organizers, "discussed the communications strategy for the potential that information on the budget is leaked," the minutes say.

"She discussed the two scenarios that were strategized, including a rumoured leak and a substantiated leak."

Senior executive group members "stated that the budget number cannot be confirmed, even if a leak is substantiated because it has not been approved," the minutes say.

During a Jan. 24, 2007, executive session, a "plan for disclosure" was briefly discussed.

"Halifax 2014 will continue to communicate with the Commonwealth Games Federation (in London, England) prior to any announcements made publicly," the minutes say.

They also say "Halifax 2014 will provide Halifax Regional Municipality and province of Nova Scotia communications staff with questions and answers for disclosure."

Event opponents had criticized organizers for their secrecy in planning the Games. Committee officials had maintained confidentiality was crucial to beating the competition.

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