Stakeholders are hoping Nanaimo’s reputation for hosting major sporting events will provide a much-needed economic windfall for the city as the Canadian Junior A Hockey League’s Western Canadian Championship comes to town in 2013.
The Nanaimo Clippers were named host of the April 26 to May 5, 2013 tournament Monday.
The city has also hosted the 1998 Royal Bank Cup, the 2002 B.C. Summer Games and the 2007 B.C. Seniors Games, and co-hosted the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Graham Calder, chairman of the tournament organizing committee, said the potential for positive exposure for the city and the economic impact it would bring is exciting.
“We’re hearing numbers of a million dollars and the two million the senior games brought in,” he said. “We would be proud to say we had that kind of an impact on the city.”
The five-team tournament includes the host team and champions of B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba junior A leagues.
The two top teams go on to the national championship Royal Bank Cup.
“We’re bringing in four teams with a minimum of 30 players, coaches and personnel who will need rooms and meals,” said Calder. “That doesn’t include families who come to watch the tournament. It’s a huge chance to showcase our city.”
Dauphin, Man. hosted the 2010 Royal Bank Cup and the city’s economic impact assessment indicated close to 2,500 visitors took in the tournament, booking 2,250 hotel room nights.
More than $1 million was spent during the tournament, mostly on accommodations, event tickets, food and beverages.
“If every stakeholder provides a positive experience for visitors, they will go home and tell their friends and family about Nanaimo,” said Calder.
Dan Brady, general manager of the Howard Johnson Harbourside Hotel, recalls a “nice little bump in business” during the 1998 Royal Bank Cup and echoes the message that Nanaimo has to get together to do a good job hosting the 2013 event.
“The atmosphere around town was great, people were pumped up,” he said. “To do it again, tourism, transportation, hotels, restaurants all have to get on board for this tournament.”
Along with an economic impact, the 1998 Royal Bank Cup provided a $100,000 legacy which was shared between new seating for Frank Crane Arena and local sports organizations.
Liz Williams, city arenas manager, doesn’t anticipate any major work needed on the Beban Park facilities thanks to a recent $4.6-million renovation.
“There wasn’t anything in the bid process that caused us concerns,” she said. “We think Frank Crane Arena is a perfect venue for that level of hockey. We’re confident the entire facility will be ideal.”
Mayor John Ruttan said the 2013 tournament should provide a ray of hope to a number of Nanaimo businesses.
“We’re going to see huge blocks of rooms book in various hotels and visitors are going to need to eat and get to and from the events,” he said. “It’s going to give us another opportunity to promote Nanaimo as a sports event destination.”