Word that the Canada Games will be held in New Brunswick in 2029 has sports enthusiasts applauding, that includes the Head Coach of the Codiac Vikings Aquatic Club.
Melanie Melanson says it’s a great opportunity for up and coming athletes, “It allows those athletes who have qualified for Canada games to have family see them which is amazing, and the right to compete at a level like that. And then to have people that can come watch you. It’s great even for the athletes that don’t qualify, for those young up and coming athletes. Imagine being able to go watch the games where you can you can see Ontario play against a local team and how inspiring that could be. To just to be able to watch that and how much that pays in dividends later. The reverberation that it has in in youth sports in the region just to be able to bring that many different sports together and highlight those sports and to grow those programs in New Brunswick. It’s huge. Its massive.”
For swimmers, Melanson says, “Canadians swimming internationally is becoming more and more well respected, and our programs are advancing. So for sport developments leading up to 2029, that’s a big deal. And if we can get maybe some infrastructure investment that’s even better.”
She says, this would be a great opportunity to consider a facility for this region, “Moncton is the only city that has two competitive swim teams in the same city. I know we have the capacity in Moncton to utilize that pool almost fully. I’m excited for the conversations and for the planning and just for the buzz. I think it’s I think it’s so great.”
Currently, the only 50 metre pool in the province is located in Saint John at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.
It was built for the last Canada Games held in New Brunswick in 1985.
The location for the Games will be chosen by 2025 following a selection process that will unfold over the next three years.
The 2029 Canada Summer Games will feature more than 4,000 athletes, coaches and officials, about 20 sports, and more than 3,000 volunteers.
