MELVILLE — Melville city council has decided not to pursue hosting the 2028 Saskatchewan Summer Games, citing major infrastructure gaps and high costs.
A city review found Melville lacks a regulation rubberized track, full-sized soccer fields and sufficient hotel capacity to meet Games standards.
While some venues — such as the pool and softball diamonds — would need only minor upgrades, others would require major construction or temporary facilities. Key projects included a 400-metre track and field complex ($1.54 million to $1.83 million) and two regulation soccer fields ($700,000).
The total estimated cost to host, including infrastructure, food and volunteer support, ranged from $2.99 million to $3.30 million — leaving a funding shortfall of up to $2.3 million even after $800,000 in provincial grants.
The event would also require 1,000 volunteers, nearly 40 per cent of the city’s working-age population, and temporary accommodations for almost 1,900 visitors.
Council opted instead to focus on targeted facility improvements to position Melville for future hosting opportunities without overextending municipal resources.
