By Adam Patenaude
Hosting the Memorial Cup may lead to an even bigger victory off the ice than on it.
The Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority estimates that the Memorial Cup will inject approximately $5.4 million into the local economy. The numbers are calculated by using an economic impact formula that considers the number of people who will be visiting the city for an event and the duration of their stay.
Hull’s Memorial Cup tournament, held just two years ago, provides local businesses with even more reason to be optimistic.
“At first we talked about $1 million in terms of economic impact. Now, we figure it to have been around $1.5 million,” says Michel Philion, Hull’s tournament co-ordinator.
Philion also says the tournament’s success can’t be measured by using just the one figure. “It was great for everyone; hotels, restaurant and bars. The atmosphere was tremendous. Not to mention the national visibility we received. You can’t put a dollar figure on that.”
Ottawa 67’s owner Jeff Hunt is responsible for bringing junior hockey’s national championship to Ottawa. Hunt says that the tournament will be a success for more than just hockey fans.
“There will be a lot of activity for the Lansdowne Park area during that week,” says Hunt. “Ten thousand people a day coming in for games and all kinds of other events around the park during the day. I’m sure that the restaurants and retail stores in the area are going to see an increase in traffic because people are going to be milling around.”
The nine-day tournament will bring about 10,000 visitors to the area and increase the spending of local residents. For an event like the Memorial Cup, businesses such as hotels, shops and restaurants will benefit the most. While the numbers cover the entire region, Centretown businesses are well positioned to profit.
The Villa Deli Sports Bar is located directly across from Lansdowne Park where the tournament will be held. The restaurant has been sponsoring and benefiting from Friday night 67’s games for years.
“Friday night is one of my busiest nights. It’ll be like eight Friday nights in a row,” says the bar’s owner, Joe Remollino. “It’s really going to pick up my month of May.
“Usually after the 67’s leave and before anything else gets on at Lansdowne it’s pretty slow, so this will really help.”
Area hotels will also get a boost from the Memorial Cup. The 67’s have made a contractual arrangement with the Radisson Hotel on Kent Street.
In preparation for the tournament, the Radisson has set aside a significant block of rooms. “It is definitely going to be a help to us,” says Bob Rice, the Radisson’s sales director.
“The fact that it runs over two weekends is very helpful. Weekends are usually very quiet.”
Hunt says that planning for the Cup continues. There will be plenty of opportunity for area businesses to get involved. He hopes involvement in the tournament will carry on into long- term sponsorship of the team.