Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
April 02, 2019 - 4:36 PM
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton lent its support to a bid to host the 2021 Junior A National Hockey Championship in the city.
Stewart Ladyman and Spectra’s Dean Clark appeared as a delegation making the request to city council at today’s regular council meeting, requesting the city budget $100,000 towards hosting the 2021 hockey championship.
“We’re especially wanting to go against Trail, Nanaimo and Salmon Arm, who are in the bidding run,” Ladyman told council, noting the city’s long history in hosting national events.
“We’ve shown we have the volunteer power, we’ve show we have the appropriate accommodations, we’ve shown we have the appropriate facilities, probably the best facility to host this event in Western Canada,” he told council.
The $100,000 would be applied to the 2021 budget but the application for the event had an April 30 deadline. Ladyman said a commitment for the money was needed as a bid criteria for local support.
A decision as to the host team would come in June of this year for the 2021 National Junior A Championship. The event would be non-profit and provide some legacy income, Ladyman said. He called it a 10-day marquee event that would bring national exposure to the community.
Five teams would be represented in the tournament, most recently known as the RBC Cup tournament, and other sponsors were also being sought.
Clark told council the host organizing committee, along with Hockey Canada and the Penticton Vees, would be hosting the tournament, with sources of revenue coming back to the city through use of the events centre, and food and beverage concessions.
The event is expected to generate $900,000 against expenses of $700,000 to $800,000.
Council supported the request, committing $100,000 from the 2021 budget towards the tournament, pending a successful bid.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2019