Jasper has teamed up with the town of St. Albert to bid for the 2012 Canadian Special Olympics National Winter Games.

However at this time, the town is not prepared to support the bid financially.

Jasper Town Council unanimously agreed on Oct. 20 to support the bid in principle, which would see Marmot Basin host the ski events.

“As host of the alpine skiing competitions, Jasper and Marmot Basin bring an unparalleled international reputation to the games and create a truly Alberta experience that no one can match,” wrote Gareth Jones, chair of the 2012 Special Olympics National Winter Games bid.

While council was supportive of the concept, they had questions about the implementation.

“I have no problem supporting this, but I’d like to know if it’s interpreted as financial support. It’s so unclear what it is,” Mayor Richard Ireland said.

In a letter to council, Jones asked the town for a letter of supprt, help promoting the games to personal and business contacts and assistance with the selection committee.

Manager of Culture and recreation Yvonne McNabb said she wasn’t sure if the games needed additional venues, or if sleeping quarters were required for the athletes. She said Marmot Basin is supportive of the event, while Coun. Brian Skehill said the hill is well equipped to handle such events.

The event would benefit the community economically, Coun. Rico Damota said, and he asked if it was possible to support the games without attaching a dollar figure to them.

According to Town Manager George Krefting, the town has to be careful lending its support to such events without all of the facts.

“We did this before with Grande Prairie, and it was a positive experience, but we have to identify what the criteria of the partnership is. What is the fiscal obligation and the distribution of a surplus or deficit following the games? We can go in with the best intentions, but if we don’t understand our role we don’t know what we’re getting into. Previously (in Grande Prairie) we were a partner, but not an equal partner.”

The winter games would bring about 40 athletes, 16 coaches and two officials to the venue. St. Albert town administration estimate the bid alone will cost about $15,000, and the actual event will cost up to $2.3 million. Much of that cost is covered by the Special Olympics organization and the federal government.

St. Albert hosted the 2009 Special Olympics Alberta Summer Games, and has already been selected to host the 2011 Alberta 55 plus Winter Games.
2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the special olympics in Canada, and the event will be hosted in Toronto. The first event attracted 1,400 athletes, while the winter games bring about 700 athletes to the host city.