With 609 days until opening ceremonies, the 2021 Canada Summer Games has selected the contractor who will build Canada Games Park and the Henley Rowing Centre.

The host society awarded the contract for the facilities to Brampton-based Aquicon Construction.

Aquicon said it expects construction to begin immediately.

The family-owned company has built similar facilities in Niagara - both Gale Centre and McBain Centre in Niagara Falls and Vale Health and Wellness Centre in Port Colborne.

President Daniel Aquino said his team is excited to get started.

"The biggest thing for us is adding something to the community," he said. "When you can tag yourself onto the flagship project of something like the Canada Summer Games, it's pretty special."

Aquino said the firm is committed to completing the projects on time and on budget and will draw from Niagara's trades and labour as much as it can.

The Canaga Games Park project is on Merrittville Highway across from Niagara Region headquarters and includes a large quad gym, two ice pads, a track-and-field facility, beach volleyball courts, a cycling pavilion and parking. One of the ice pads will seat 1,200 spectators, the other 200. The gym will have an upper-level, 200-metre track for walking and running in winter.

Once the Games are over, a consortium of Brock University and the cities of St. Catharines and Thorold will operate the facility.

The Henley Rowing Centre in Port Dalhousie will include amenities the current course lacks - training facilities, a medical room and accessible change rooms.

A report to regional council said the combined capital budget for both projects is $88 million.

Aquicon was selected from a pool of six pre-qualified bidders.

"This is yet another significant milestone in our preparation for the Games," said Doug Hamilton, chair of the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games Host Society. "We look forward to working with Aquicon to develop facilities that will not only greatly enhance the 2021 Canada Games, but will also leave a critical legacy for many years after the Games."

More than 5,000 athletes from across Canada will compete in 18 sports Aug. 6 to 21, 2021. The operating budget for the Games and legacy capital budget is $146.7 million.

The funding is coming from multiple levels of government. Ottawa and the province each committed $29 million. Niagara Region is supplying $20 million. The Region is funding its commitment with $13.6 million in federal gas tax transfers and $6.4 million in debt financing, the report said.

Thorold committed $5 million to the facility at Brock and another $2 million for infrastructure servicing of the property. St. Catharines is contributing $10 million for both facilities. Brock University added $4 million of in-kind contributions and the land for the Games park, which it has said is worth about $6 million. Brock will lease the property to the operators for a long-term nominal amount. Sport Canada is providing an additional $3 million.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

The host society estimates capital expenses for the Games will be balanced by the funding commitments and an additional $6.5 million in sponsorship and fundraising.

The Canada Games are held every two years, alternating between winter and summer, and involve athletes from every province and territory.