HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 4016CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON
RESOLUTION NO.4016
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON,SUPPORTING THE CITY
OF SEATILE IN ITS PROPOSAL TO HOST THE 2018/2022 FEDERATION
INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (FIFA)WORLD CUP'M.
WHEREAS,the City of Seattle is one of twenty-seven cities in the United States being
considered by the USA Bid Committee,Inc.,to host the 2018 or 2022 Federation Internationale
de Football Association (FIFA)World Cup'";and
WHEREAS,the Greater Seattle area has attracted large,enthusiastic crowds for
professional matches since 1976,and this year the Seattle Sounders FC broke Major League
Soccer records for attendance and merchandise sales in their first season;and
WHEREAS,more than 125,000 young people actively compete in soccer matches in
Renton and around Washington State and the FIFA World Cup'"will provide Renton and the
Greater Seattle area with a unique opportunity to inspire new generations of soccer
enthusiasts,while promoting the region's commitment to recreation and sports;and
WHEREAS,the United States received an estimated $4 billion in economic benefits from
hosting the 1994 FIFA World Cup'",and soccer fans bring significant additional revenue to the
host cities'hotels,restaurants,and shops,in turn generating local tax revenue that can be re-
invested in public services such as parks and recreation programs and public safety;and
WHEREAS,the Mayor and City Council share a common goal of promoting Renton and
the Greater Seattle region's stature,diversity,and economic vitality,which will be enhanced by
hosting the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup'";and
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RESOLUTION NO.4016
WHEREAS,the 2018 or 2022 FIFA Confederations Cup,a major international
tournament in its own right,will also be played in the host cities'venues;and
WHEREAS,the Virginia Mason Athletic Center,located in Renton,has been selected as
one of four training sites where teams will train in preparation for their matches;and
WHEREAS,teams training at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center will establish Team Base
Camps in hotels near the facility;and
WHEREAS,FIFA will determine final host countries for 2018 and 2022 by December
2010 and,along with the USA Bid Committee,will determine final host cities five years prior to
the event;and
WHEREAS,the USA Bid Committee has established a petition drive at
www.GoUSABid.com and has stated that the number of residents of the area who have signed
the petition will be one criterion by which the number potential host cities will be narrowed;
and
WHEREAS,the effectiveness of Seattle's proposal will be enhanced by support,
cooperation and information-sharing between the City of Seattle and the cities in which training
sites and Team Base Camps are located;
NOW,THEREFORE,THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,WASHINGTON,DOES
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I.The above findings are true and correct in all respects.
SECTION II.The City of Renton should assist the City of Seattle in its pursuit to host
the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup'"and market the Greater Seattle region,and the United States,
as an attractive host for an international soccer tournament;and
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RESOLUTION NO.4016
SECTION III.The City of Renton should work cooperatively with First and Goal,Inc.,
the owner of the Virginia Mason Athletic Center,to ensure the viability of the facility as a
training site for the 2018/2022 FIFA Worid CUp'M;and
SECTION IV.The City of Renton should work with its existing hotels and future hotel
developers to ensure that Renton hotel facilities are suitable,availabie and are eventually
selected as Team Base Camps for teams training at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center,and
SECTION V.The City of Renton should look for and pursue additional opportunities to
otherwise maximize the potential economic and cultural benefits to the City by these and all
associated activities.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 28th day of September ,2009.
Bonnie I.Walton,City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 28th day of September
Denis Law,Mayor
Lawrence J.Warren,City Attorney
RES:1420:9/21/09:scr
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2009.