Despite being a vocal opponent at times of the City of Windsor's sports tourism efforts, Ward 7 Councillor Irek Kusmierczyk is fully on board in committing $10,000 to the OFSAA Track and Field championships coming to the city in June.
"This is exactly the type of sports tourism we ought to be supporting," says Kusmierczyk. "The OFSAA Track and Field Championship is going to bring well over 2,500 people here. It's going to cost the city $6,500; those are pennies."
Council approved $6,5000 in cash to help organizers pay for things like paramedic and policing services while adding a further $3,500 in in-kind contributions including waived fees at city facilities.
Kusmierczyk says supporting the event with some city cash was one of the easiest decisions in his career as a councillor.
"The return on investment is huge," says Kusmierczyk. "I think what's even more important when you compare it let's say to the grand prix event, is that we have the numbers. We know exactly how many people are coming to the city, we know exactly how many hotel rooms are going to be rented, we know the economic impact is to the City of Windsor."
The championship runs June 2, 3 and 4.
