Memorial Cup organizers added another financial supporter to the team on Tuesday with Red Deer County committing $150,000.
Darcy Mykytyshyn, chair of the 2013 Memorial Cup Bid Committee, was clearly pleased with the unanimous county support, which comes on top of $300,000 the City of Red Deer approved last month.
“It just increased the odds of getting this event in Central Alberta significantly,” said Mykytyshyn, following his presentation to county council.
Financial contributions were sought to backstop the event in case revenues fall short of meeting the commitment that the Western Hockey League needs to secure the bid. There’s a good chance that the money will never be needed, he told council.
The provincial government is also being approached for funding help for the national junior hockey championships, which have not been held in Alberta since 1974.
“We believe it’s time for the Memorial Cup to come to Alberta,” he said, adding there is no better venue than Red Deer.
The city has a lot going for it in 2013, he said. It will be Red Deer’s centennial year and it’s expected the Memorial Cup will become one of the year-long celebration’s marquee events.
Also, the Red Deer Rebels are expected to ice a highly competitive team that year, an important consideration that league officials look at when choosing a host city, whose team automatically qualifies for the championship that includes the winners of the Western, Ontario and Quebec leagues.
The Rebels’ home, the Centrium, is also scheduled for a major expansion next year that will see 1,000 seats and 14 luxury boxes added to the 6,000-seat facility.
Saskatoon and Kelowna are also making bids for the Memorial Cup. The host city will be named on Oct. 13.
Organizers estimate the championship, which will run May 17 to 26, 2013, will generate nearly $18 million in economic spinoffs and create 100 jobs.
While much of that money will be spent in the city, county businesses — especially in Gasoline Alley — will benefit from the tournament, which is expected to attract 65,000 fans and draw more than 5,000 visitors to the area. At least one of five hotels that will be booked for teams, officials and others associated with the tournament will be located in Gasoline Alley.
Mykytyshyn said the event may also give the Red Deer Regional Airport a boost. Bid organizers are working out a plan that would see participating teams flown into the airport at Springbrook.
County Mayor Jim Wood said the Memorial Cup would give economic development a big boost. “I do believe our county will benefit from it, so will our youth.”
Councillor George Gehrke said he liked that the county’s commitment was meant to provide a financial backstop, adding he had “great faith” the event would generate enough to cover its bills.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com