City Creates New Sports Tourism Job

Despite some concern over value for money, city council went ahead with creating a new position to attract sporting events to Windsor. The money will come from the existing $393,000 sports tourism budget in the mayor's office. Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island predicts Windsor will see a $19-million return on investment for hosting 14 days worth of FINA events from 2014-2017. But Councillor Irek Kusmierczyk believes that number could be inflated. "It requires reaching deeper into the pockets of taxpayers without even a single independent study, without any evidence to demonstrate that taxpayers are receiving a return on their investments," Kusmierczyk says. Mayor Drew Dilkens wasn't impressed by some councillors who wanted an audit for the 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships. "Get on the train, stop the whining and guess what? When the event is held, spend the money and have the value-for-money audit on the event. Not a problem," Dilkens says. "But please don't nitpick in advance of us even holding the event." The new hire is a contract position that lasts for three years with an annual salary of $110,000.