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Windsor get $2.5M from province for FINA 2016 world event

Windsor get $2.5M from province for FINA 2016 world event

The City of Windsor is getting $2.5 million from the province over the next two years to help host the FINA World Swimming Championship in 2016.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Michael Coteau, was at Windsor's International Aquatic Centre for the announcement.

"We are the smallest city on the planet to be hosting this type of event," said Mayor Drew Dilkens. "The minister talked about Abu Dhabi, about Hong Kong, London, Paris…all of these cities that you're aware of and on that list is Windsor, Ontario. It really does put us on the map, it's a selling tool for people in economic development."

The city hoped for $3 million to help with the event, but Dilkens said it will try to stick to the budget established.

Dilkens said one of the legacies from the FINA 2016 event will be a 25 m pool that will be built at the WFCU Centre.

"(The pool is) a part of the community (that) had been talked about for quite some time, and because of this event we're able to deliver on that particular project," said Dilkens.

The competition will take place between Dec. 6 to 11, and it's the first time the event is being held in North America since 2004.

The event is expected to draw 2,500 visitors to Windsor, including 900 professional swimmers from 175 countries.

The money had been announced as part of the provincial budget in April.