Hub city talk has Edmonton businesses ‘excited’
Tournament could be worth up to $30M to capital city, Oilers say
EDMONTON Although it will primarily be limited to one area of the city, restaurants and organizations in downtown say they’re excited that Edmonton has reportedly been picked to be an NHL hub.
Chris Sills, co-owner of Tres Carnales, said having the playoffs in the city would be welcome news, especially given the massive loss in business restaurants have faced because of COVID-19.
“Our restaurant, (Tres Carnales) Rostizado, is in the Mercer Warehouse, right across the street from the arena,” he said.
“Provided all things go well, according to public health and all that sort of stuff, once the team lands — we’re super excited about the possibility of getting some of them in or ordering from us.”
According to multiple reports, Edmonton and Toronto have been selected by the NHL as hub cities for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The league has yet to issue a confirmation.
The virus has taken a heavy toll on the hospitality sector and continues to be a challenge for restaurants. On Tuesday, Alberta chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said four restaurants were linked to 40 cases of COVID-19. Those restaurants volunteered to close temporarily to minimize the spread.
Sills said that, with so much uncertainty, he’s not sure what will happen to his restaurants even a month from now.
He said following public health guidelines such as creating enough space to allow two-metre distance for people is also challenging.
“I’m certainly not complaining about it, but it’s not really allowing restaurants to flourish like they once did in the city,” he said. “We’re really excited about the potential for increased sales and an overall gleefulness that Edmonton is in the playoffs, and that we’re fortunate enough to have one of those bubbles that the NHL can operate in.”
Chris Barr, board chair for the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association, said the hospitality industry really needed this, adding it will help with businesses trying to recover.
“Many hotels and restaurants have been working diligently to prepare their properties to welcome guests and to provide true Albertan hospitality,” he said.
“As a result of the NHL’S decision to have Edmonton as a hub city, many communities throughout Alberta will receive some residual revenue, which no doubt will be a welcome source of revenue during these tough times.”
Tim Shipton, senior vice-president of corporate communications and government relations for the Oilers Entertainment Group, said he’s not going to comment until a formal announcement has been made, but he estimated that having Edmonton as a hub city could have an economic impact of between $20 million and $30 million, as well as provide significant media exposure for the region.
Dan St. Pierre, director of government and external relations with Edmonton Tourism, said if Edmonton is picked, it will be a real morale-booster.
“It will drive some positive economic impact, but there are many variables and moving parts right now,” he said.
On Thursday, Hinshaw said there wouldn’t be a “significant concern” with Edmonton being a hub city as long as the current rate of COVID-19 cases continue, which has seen new cases fluctuate at a rate of 30 to 70 a day in the past week.
She said safety remains a top priority if Edmonton is chosen as a hub city and referred to the province’s protocol plan for a safe tournament.
“While there are many components, the approach relies on extensive privately purchased testing, and the NHL players and anyone else involved in the tournament forming a cohort that is separate from the public,” Hinshaw said.
“Cohorting among the participants will reduce the risks of disease spread if a case is identified.”
Other conditions include regular testing and symptom checks, as well as wearing masks when people are not playing and are within two metres of each other.