Corporate Report Report from Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Recreation Business Development; and Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Economic Development Date of Report: November 8, 2016 Date of Meeting: November 21, 2016

Report Number: PRCS/CAO-309-2016 File: 68.32.99 and 68.45.99

Subject: Partnership Investment Opportunity: 2018 FIBA (International Federation) Americas U18 Men’s Championship Bid

Recommendation That Council receive the report regarding the Niagara Sport Commission submission of a bid to host the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship for information purposes; and

That in accordance with City Policy, Council deny the request by the Niagara Sport Commission to waive fees associated with the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship; and

That the Clerk be directed to make the necessary notifications. FORTHWITH Summary The Niagara Sport Commission has prepared a bid to host the FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship June 12-18, 2018. The bid proposal was submitted on November 3, 2016, with a provision that municipal partnership funding support would be pursued; more specifically, partnership investment / fee waiver in the amount of $64,250. FIBA intends to notify all eliminated communities early December 2016 and award the bid February 2017. St. Catharines has a strong and growing basketball community with the addition of the Niagara River Lions establishing their home court at the . These factors provide an opportunity to host an elite level event at the Meridian Centre which should generate interest in the event and provide an opportunity to showcase the City. Background Mr. Bram Cotton, Chief Executive Officer of the Niagara Sport Commission, submitted a letter to staff (Appendix 1) with a Partnership Investment Opportunity request for the 2018 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Americas U18 Men’s Championship. The City of St. Catharines has proven it is an event City and has benefitted greatly from hosting on a national stage. From the World Rowing Championships on the historic Henley to the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games and most recently, the 2016 IIHF Ice

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Hockey U18 Women’s World Championships, our community has a historic and successful track record in hosting events. Report The Niagara Sport Commission (NSC) is seeking financial partnership support through the provision of rental fee waiver and event related costs in the amount of $64,250. The tournament is composed of eight teams (each made up of twelve athletes) / 22 game format over five days of competition. The eight teams are split into two pools of four teams where they begin the event in round robin format, followed by a quarterfinal, elimination phase. Estimated attendance is at 22,000 spectators. Due to the high level of competition in this event, the numerous neighbours in the Niagara Region, Buffalo, Hamilton, and Toronto areas should make for a potential sell out event.

Canada has never been host to the FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship. Past host cities / countries have included: • 2006 San Antonio, USA • 2008 Formosa, Argentina • 2010 San Antonio, USA • 2012 Sao Sebastiao do Paraiso, Brazil • 2014 Colorado Springs, USA • 2016 Valdivia, Chile

Team Canada is no stranger to this competition having participated in the Championship and Canada’s very own Steve Nash (former eight time NBA all-star) being named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1999 and 2003. This has the potential to be the first major international basketball event at the Meridian Centre that will allow the opportunity to showcase that it is a multiuse facility. Benefits of Hosting • The potential economic impact of $4 million • Inclusion to City’s event hosting resume • Social and Community Legacy • Volunteer and Community Development • Community Sport Legacy • Sport Hosting Legacy

Potential Legacy Components It is anticipated that hosting the Championship will assist in building and improving the sport of basketball in the community, including, but not limited to: • Sport Hosting Framework • Creation and development of additional youth basketball programs • New basketball floor that would be owned by the Niagara Sport Commission with option to be rented or purchased

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Although the NSC has agreed to serve as the lead in executing and planning the event, partners would be selected, and the City would act as the Host Municipality, and participation in the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) would establish the City as a sponsor of the Games. The LOC would include representation from the NSC, Host Municipality, Basketball Canada, Provincial government, and the private sector.

Local Host Committee Responsibilities would include: • All event hosting costs o Meals o Accommodations o Ground Transportation o Dressing Room Supplies o Marketing and Communication o Ticketing Service Plan o Sponsorship and Sponsorship Servicing o Facilities • Ticket Sales • Local grants and sponsorships • Additional Revenue Opportunities (eg. 50/50, program sales, merchandise, concessions, parking)

Estimated Economic Impact Utilizing the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model, the NSC has estimated this event would have a positive impact on the economy of approximately $4 million. Financial Implications In accordance with City Policy, staff recommend that Council deny the request to waive the associated fees. The estimated partnership investment / fee waiver costs include:

Request Amount Approximate costs associated with the use of the Meridian Centre which is not inclusive of costs for additional security services that $64,000 could be required of FIBA. These details are not known at this time. Approximate road closure costs for a one day activation between $250 bridges on St. Paul Street Total Partnership Investment / Fee Waiver $64,250

Relationship to Strategic Plan The 2018 FIBA Americans U18 Men’s Championship supports the economic, social and cultural sustainability goals through work with Regional partners to support successful collaboration to support the development of our Country’s amateur athletes by creating events that draw the community together, encourages local engagement and investment as well as attracting new visitors to the community to enjoy, support, and grow our local economy.

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The recommendations of this report support the following Strategic Plan Goal’s identified by Council: • Economic Sustainability – develop partnerships to enhance the economic vitality of the community. • Social Sustainability – connect people, places and neighbourhoods. • Cultural Sustainability – support cultural festivals and events that build civic pride, encourage local engagements and attract people to the community. Conclusion The City of St. Catharines has witnessed firsthand the power of sport in uniting our community and inspiring youth. The opportunity to participate in the 2018 Championship will provide many partnership and community development opportunities that are well- aligned to the City’s Strategic Plan creating positive economic and social benefits for the young athletes and the community at large. This event would present the opportunity to showcase the world class facility and the City through national and international media coverage. Should Council approve this report, the endorsement to host the event is not binding at this stage. However, should this bid be successful, a commitment from the host municipality will be required. Notification It is in order to notify Mr. Bram Cotton, Chief Executive Officer, Niagara Sport Commission, 20 Pine Street North, Studio A, Thorold ON L2V 0A1.

Prepared and Submitted by: Jennifer Douglas, Business Development and Sport Supervisor

Approved by: Phil Cristi, Director Parks, Recreation and Culture Services (Acting) and Brian York, Director Economic Development and Government Relations

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MEMORANDUM TO / À: Brian York, City of St. Catharines

FROM / DE: Bram Cotton, Niagara Sport Commission DATE: October 18, 2016 SUBJECT/OBJECT: 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship

There is currently an opportunity for the Niagara Sport Commission (NSC) and the City of St. Catharines in partnership with Basketball Canada to bid to host the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship. The event would represent a significant showcase opportunity for Niagara, both nationally and internationally. The NSC is proposing that the events be held in the new Meridian Centre in St. Catharines.

2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship

The 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship would commence June 12 and finish June 16, 2018. Eight teams (made up of 12 competitors) from across North and South America compete over five days. The eight teams are broken into two pools of four where they will play a round-robin format followed by a final quarterfinal, elimination phase. Additional information will be released to municipalities whom submit a letter of intent.

 Eight International teams  Competing in 20 games over five days.  Canada has never previously hosted this tournament  Estimated attendance of 22,000 paid spectators.  National and International exposure on various media platforms  Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is responsible for all event expenses. Basketball Canada provides some financial assistance and is a conduit for Sport Canada, and ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport, International sport hosting grant.  Coverage of the tournament will consist of webcasting, with level of Television coverage being determined by Basketball Canada  A legacy component of the bid would see the creation and development of additional youth basketball programs within the Niagara Region.

20 Pine St. N. Studio A Thorold, ON L2V 0A1 P: 905.680.8085 Ext. 24 F: 905.680.7253 W: www.niagarasportcommission.com Page 1

Event: 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship (Basketball) Dates: June 12–16, 2018

Bid Due: November 3, 2016 20 games total over five days of competition. Venue needed exclusively for pre- determined amount of time.

LOC Responsibilities:  All event hosting costs o Meals o Accommodation o Ground transportation o Dressing room supplies o Marketing and Communication o Ticketing Service Plan o Sponsorship and Sponsorship servicing o Facilities  Ticket Sales  Local grants and sponsorship  Additional revenue opportunities (50/50, program sales, merchandise, concessions, parking, etc.) Estimated Economic Impact:

A Sport Tourism Economic Assessment was prepared for the IIHF event with the following impacts for the economy of St. Catharines specifically:

Initial Expenditure $2,739,807 GDP (Total Impact) $2,889,038 Wages & Salaries (Total Impact) $1,742,155 Total Industry Output $5,944,459

20 Pine St. N. Studio A Thorold, ON L2V 0A1 P: 905.680.8085 Ext. 24 F: 905.680.7253 W: www.niagarasportcommission.com Page 2

Past Hosts:

As previously stated, the FIBA Americas U18 Men’s Championship has never been hosted in Canada. Past hosts include:  2006 – San Antonio, USA  2008 – Formosa, Argentina  2010 – San Antonio, USA  2012 – Sao Sebastiao do Paraiso, Brazil  2014 – Colorado Springs, USA  2016 – Valdivia, Chile

Executing a successful tournament would allow the opportunity to host the same or similar basketball tournaments in the future. As shown in the past hosts list, FIBA does not find hosting the event twice problematic.

Event Implications:

 This will be the first major international basketball event in the Meridian, which would showcase its multiuse capabilities.  Cooperation and support of the event bid can leave a lasting legacy of event hosting framework for the City of St. Catharines and partners. Preceded for future major games/event hosting opportunity  Increased opportunity for youth basketball in St. Catharines and Ontario.  Revenue opportunity for the City of St. Catharines through ticket surcharges and event parking revenues  Opportunity to gain national and international visibility through exposure on various media platforms (print, television, web and social media).  A minimum of approximately 900 room nights for tournament participants in addition to nights required for spectators.  Engagement and development of the local community through events accompanying the competition itself such as cultural festivals, fan fairs, social functions, clinics and workshops, and 3 on 3 competitions.

20 Pine St. N. Studio A Thorold, ON L2V 0A1 P: 905.680.8085 Ext. 24 F: 905.680.7253 W: www.niagarasportcommission.com Page 3

Additional event opportunities will be pitched as a part of the bid, which will create a festival like atmosphere for basketball in St. Catharines. Opportunities that will be explored include:  Street Festival / Fan Fest (Saturday of the final games) Site plan same as 2016 IIHF U18 World Womens Championship  Social functions  Clinics and workshops  Youth programming  3 on 3 tournament

The Niagara Sport Commission Requests of the City of St. Catharines

Based on the success of the 2016 IIHF U18 World Women’s Championship the NSC and City of St. Catharines partnered on the NSC would request a similar partnership with the waiving of the Meridian Centre Rental Fees and associated costs to support the acquisition of the 2018 FIBA of the Americas U18 Mens Championship and success of the event. (Quote from Meridian Centre attached.)

Additionally we would request the closing and use of the area between the bridges off the Meridian Centre for a Street Festival / Fan Fest on the Saturday of the final games and waiving of fees. (Same footprint as the 2016 IIHF U18 Fan Fest and 2016 OHL Championship Fan Fest)

Lastly the NSC would request the waiving of fees and use of City of St. Catharines marketing assets such as the street banners, digital assets and arena assets in the lead up to the event as in-kind support.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Please note that the Greater St. Catharines Accommodations Partners (GSNAP) have made a $10,000 commitment to the event to support the acquisition and financial success of the event.

Bram Cotton

Chief Executive Officer Niagara Sport Commission (289) 362-2215 [email protected]

20 Pine St. N. Studio A Thorold, ON L2V 0A1 P: 905.680.8085 Ext. 24 F: 905.680.7253 W: www.niagarasportcommission.com Page 4