Memorial Cup on display during Saint John's State of the City. (photo from Tim Herd/Acadia Broadcasting)
Saint John’s Common Council has approved funding worth $250,000 for the 2022 Memorial Cup.
An operating grant of $150,000, as well as $100,000 for unplanned air quality improvements required at TD Station for the event, were both approved at Monday’s meeting.
“Hosting this event is a significant win for Saint John, and the municipal contribution was anticipated as part of the bid process,” said Councillor Joanna Killen, chair of the city’s growth committee.
Killen also mentioned the economic and community impacts from the tournament will be quite significant.
“With 14,000 visitors coming to the region, with a perspective of $7 million in visitor spending, $5.7 million in local GDP impact, $1 million in national media exposure, and accessible and inclusive wraparound community programming that will draw thousands of people to the Uptown.”
During the common council meeting, Councillor Greg Norton shared statistics about the 2019 Memorial Cup tournament held in Halifax.
“Accommodations in Halifax saw close to $4 million, restaurants and bars during that period saw over $2 million of injection.”
“When you look at the injection, just $9.1 million of visitor spending during that period as a result of that successful bid … folks, make no doubt about if the Sea Dogs win or not, and I hope they do, this economy does,” added Norton.
The $250,000 contribution from the city is coming from the Municipal Economic and Community Recovery (ENCORE) program.
The 2022 Memorial Cup tournament runs from June 20 to 29. It is the first time Saint John has hosted the tournament.
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