Windsor and London team up for world junior hockey bid

Two southwestern Ontario cities are teaming up in a joint bid to host the world junior hockey championships in 2019.

London and Windsor are working together on a joint application for the popular tournament, according to a report presented at London's community and protective services committee Tuesday.

Committee members endorsed a plan that would see the $600,000 bid cost shared between the city and Tourism London.

Coun. MohamedSalih supported the plan.

"I'm not much of a hockey fan myself, but I think it's a great opportunity and I think many Londoners would appreciate this," he said during Tuesday's meeting.

Windsor is expected to "have a report going to their city council" within the next month, according to the report from John Winston, general manager of Tourism London.

His plan calls for a $500,000 grant from the City of London, while the other $100,000 is expected to come from Tourism London.

In his document, he explains how the tournament "gives the City of London a unique opportunity to host an economical stimulating event in partnership with the City of Windsor."

The International Ice Hockey Federation, which is the governing body of the world junior tournament, awarded Canada the right to host it again in 2019. Hockey Canada will determine which community has the winning bid.

Consisting of the world's best hockey players under the age of 20, the popular tournament is held during the Christmas and New Years holiday season. The 2019 contest is scheduled to start December 26, 2018 with the championship game played January 5, 2019.

Canada has hosted the world juniors 11 times. The 2016-17 tournament will be hosted by Toronto and Montreal.