City of Nanaimo is asking for extra busing from Regional District of Nanaimo transit system for the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, set to hit Nanaimo in late February.
In a letter to the regional district, the city requested additional bus service to downtown Nanaimo for the hockey fan experience on Feb. 25-26 at Maffeo Sutton Park to alleviate anticipated traffic congestion.
During a presentation at the regional district's Tuesday meeting, Richard Harding, City of Nanaimo director of parks, recreation and environment, projected the number of people heading downtown Feb. 26 could exceed 15,000.
Daniel Pearce, regional district acting general manager of transportation, said a preliminary plan has been developed that consists of approximately three buses each day for a period of eight to nine hours each day. The total cost estimate is $7,000, Pearce said.
Directors sought more information and referred the item to a Feb. 14 meeting.
Pearce said who foots the bill will ultimately be up to the regional district board to decide.
“Because it's been referred to back to staff, we'll be writing a short, brief report. I'll be talking to city staff, writing a report on what can be discussed between staffing levels and making a recommendation to the board,” Pearce said to the News Bulletin.
Historically, the regional district has billed the city and paid for bus service itself, said Pearce.
The city suggested three stops that could be possible pick-up and drop-off locations – Vancouver Island University, Prideaux Street transit exchange and Country Club Centre.
There will be festivities in the week leading up to the event, including a Snuneymuxw First Nation welcoming ceremony and traditional feast, and events with the Nanaimo Clippers and Buccaneers junior hockey teams.