The dream of hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Greater Victoria is still very much alive, according to bid Chair David Black.
Despite rejection of the bid by the Province and concerns expressed by some local politicians, Black believes there have been enough changes to get governments on board.
He says there is now more time to get the bid in, and he says concern over cost overruns has also been handled thanks to the business community:
" We've been able to pout together 10 business people in Victoria. They have some financial wealth. And they're really keen on putting back for Victoria, they understand how good these games are for Victoria. So they want to put up the money, and they want to do the guarantee. So it will be a privately put up guarantee on the cost overrun.
Black also points to research by Brock Smith -- a senior professor at the UVic's Peter B. Gustavson School of Business -- who indicates wages connected to the Games projects would support $100 million in new property tax revenues for municipalities -- 4 times the in-kind costs local governments are being asked to contribute.
Black, who heads up Black Press, has released what the newspaper chain says is the first in a series of opinion columns detailing a restructured Victoria 2022 Commonwealth Games bid aimed at changing minds and garnering support.
Black says the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games will not come around again for decades, and says we need to take advantage of this chance. He urges supporters to step up and be vocal.