Confederation Bridge, Borden-Carleton, PE (June 17, 2021) — At a special outdoor event held at Marine Rail Historical Park overlooking the Confederation Bridge, the 2023 Canada Winter Games Host Society announced this morning that the City of Charlottetown and City of Summerside have signed on as municipal partners for the 2023 Games.

The partnership includes financial contributions of $1.8 million from the City of Charlottetown and $745,000 from the City of Summerside in support of hosting the 2023 Canada Games.

Both municipalities become major partners of the Games and will play host to several marquee sporting and cultural events throughout the 18-day, multi-sport and cultural event. As part of the agreement, Charlottetown and Summerside will receive increased media exposure, providing a national platform to showcase its local arts, community, and culture designed to drive awareness and support long-term tourism and growth strategies.

The Games will bring significant economic activity to Charlottetown and Summerside and will support post-COVID recovery efforts through new and improved sport and community facilities that provide long-term benefits for sport, health, and wellness. Over 10,000 guest rooms will be required for non-spectators alone and another 12,000 guests are expected to join Islanders to celebrate the Games. The total economic benefit for Prince Edward Island is expected to surpass $170 million.

Preparations for the Games are well underway in both municipalities. In addition to venue upgrades, Charlottetown and Summerside will benefit from the development of a new base of community volunteers, with major event training.

Community pride and the long-term benefits from hosting the Games will create a lasting legacy for Charlottetown and Summerside residents, including:

‍Charlottetown

• Construction of the new residence at UPEI is slated for completion in fall 2022 and will be home to the Athletes’ Village, accommodating over 3,600 participants throughout the Games.
• New concussion-resistant boards and glass at Eastlink Centre Charlottetown are being installed to further enhance the venue and provide an extra level of safety for the athletes, while building on the venue’s impressive sport event hosting successes.
• In addition to venue upgrades, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place at Eastlink Centre Charlottetown.
• A Canada Games Festival grounds will be located in the heart of Charlottetown and will feature 10 plus days of live music showcasing local and nationally recognized artists, cultural events, and sponsor activations that will shine a national spotlight on PEI.

Summerside

• Summerside continues to expand on its rich history of hosting national sporting events with the construction of a new multi-purpose dome.
• At 65,000 square feet, the dome will be the largest on the Island and will be officially recognized as a Canada Games legacy venue.
• Upgrades to the Silver Fox Entertainment Complex including accessibility improvements.
• Residents will be able to enjoy marquee Games’ competitions across hockey, curling, boxing, fencing, and table tennis.

Both cities will continue to work closely with the Host Society to ensure PEI is ready to host one of the best Canada Games ever.

‍"We are thrilled that Charlottetown—the Birthplace of Confederation—will serve as one of the hubs for the 2023 Canada Winter Games. Our residents will not only get to enjoy the Games sporting and cultural festivities, but will also benefit from revitalized sports and community venues. We look forward to showcasing Charlottetown to the country as we welcome thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators from across Canada.”

- Mayor Philip Brown, City of Charlottetown

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"Our City Council and its residents are immensely proud of our community’s sports history and renown for hosting high-profile national and international sporting events. This is cemented in our belief that sport helps to unite a community and brings out the very best in its citizens; the Canada Games is no different, representing the highest level of national competition for up-and-coming Canadian athletes, with its lasting legacy of top-calibre facilities, community pride and national unity.”

- Mayor Basil Stewart, City of Summerside

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“We’re delighted that the City of Charlottetown and City of Summerside have shown their support for the 2023 Canada Games through our municipal partnership program. Both cities have a rich tradition of supporting major sporting and cultural events, opening their doors to the nation as host of the highly successful Canada Games in 1991 and 2009. The 2023 Games will be the largest multi-sport event to be hosted in Prince Edward Island and we can’t wait to deliver a life-shaping Games experience for all participants while creating legacies that Islanders will benefit from for years to come."

‍‍- Wayne Carew and Brian McFeely, Board Co-Chairs, 2023 Canada Games Host Society