Column: The Business Beat
By Adam Hickman
The NHL All-Star Game is one of the most spectacular events in hockey, and, arguably, all of sports. The entire hockey world watches, as its elite superstars compete for one weekend, in a chosen city.
Thousands of fans are attracted to the host city for the game and festivities. The economic spin-offs from hosting an all-star game are lucrative, as hotels, restaurants, stores and sports bars all benefit.
Unfortunately, Ottawa won’t reap these rewards anytime soon.
The NHL has rejected Ottawa as a host site because there’s a lack of convention space in the nation’s capital.
Excluding the ice facility, the 200,000 sq. feet must be guaranteed to accommodate the party that accompanies the game. Unfortunately, the Congress Centre is only 40,000 sq. feet.
This should send a message to politicians and developers. The nation’s capital is falling behind in its ability to host conferences.
An all-star game aside, what other conferences, conventions and trade shows, are passing up the national capital region in favor of more spacious sites in Toronto and Montreal.
In the short run, local businesses lose out on spin-offs. In the long run, the lack of space stunts economic growth since the region is less attractive to entrepreneurs seeking to start up businesses. It’s a shame a lack of infrastructure causes the loss of business because Ottawa has so many resources. As Canada’s capital, Ottawa benefits from government resources that aren’t available in other cities. The region is rich in research facilities, culture and home to a burgeoning hi-tech sector.
Reputation is also at stake. A country’s capital city must impress a world class image upon visitors from around the globe. Part of this image, is offering a place where large groups of people can congregate to discuss ideas or do business. It’s embarrassing that Canada’s capital must pass up opportunities to invite the world because it lacks space.
The Congress Centre, once effective, can’t expand to meet present demand. A new convention centre needs to be built on a site, where future expansion is possible, if necessary.
In an age of joint ventures between government and business, both need to get together to solidify a plan to build a major convention centre, so Ottawa can host major events.
If they ever do, perhaps by 2011, Ottawa may finally get to host the NHL’s all-stars.