The host committee for the 2016 Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games in Steinbach has finally closed the books on the event including an economic impact assessment. Co-chair Trish Enns appeared before city council Tuesday evening to say the games cost $989,000 and they ended up with a small surplus of $8,400. Half of it will go to the city and the other half to the Hanover School Division. Enns adds the economic impact of the games was huge.

Trish Enns and Cheryl Peters of the games host committee address city council Tuesday."The combined spending of out of town athletes, family members, spectators and other visitors in combination with the expenditures made by the host society totalled $1.9 million, supporting $2.6 million in economic activity in Manitoba, including $2.3 million of economic activity in Steinbach."

Enns also says attendance at the games was the best ever. Furthermore, she says they left behind a legacy of facility improvements.

"Stonybrook Middle School saw a legacy of $353,000, predominantly a new asphalt track and athletics equipment which was left behind. Steinbach Soccer Park realized approximately $13,000 in bleachers that were purchased and left behind. Steinbach Aquatic Centre with starting blocks and field of play equipment realized approximately $5,300. A.D. Penner Park with some Infield (improvements) and bleachers realized approximately $26,000. Stahn Park in Mitchell, dugout covers and renovations to the baseball diamonds, approximately $2,500."

Deputy Mayor Cari Penner says the games have left behind a legacy in several ways.

"Not only just with the legacy they left in terms of the physical additions to our soccer park, our aquatic centre, our running track, all of those kinds of things, but also to organizations that were a part of this and, as well, the economic spin-off to restaurants, hotels and all of the other retail businesses."

City councillor Jac Siemens notes it took Steinbach four tries to get the summer games and the city proved it was a very capable host.

"Not only in the legacy with the added volunteers, with the amount of funds that were generated, but there was a surplus which is unique for the summer games. We broke attendance records, you can't say enough about the positive impact it had on Steinbach. Now we stop and take a look and we go; 'Is there another games in the future of Steinbach?"

City council commended the host committee for its huge effort in making the games such a big success.