City tunes up bid to host Juno Awards in 2019

The Juno Awards could soon be running back to Saskatoon.

Tourism Saskatoon chief executive officer Todd Brandt confirmed Wednesday that a bid is in the works for the 2019 Junos, a starstudded event that honours Canadian musicians and songwriters.

“We’re right in the process of putting together a bid committee and creating a bid document,” Brandt said in an interview. “It’s far from a done deal, but we’re well into the process.”

Saskatoon’s only other stint playing host to the Junos came in 2007, when Saskatchewan’s largest city became the smallest city at the time to host the annual awards.

Brandt said he expects Saskatoon to be in competition with Quebec City and London, Ont. to host the annual music industry event in 2019.

He would not reveal details of the cost of the bid or the cost of hosting the event, due to the competitive nature of the bid process.

Saskatoon city council’s planning, development and community services committee endorsed a funding contribution of $350,000 at Tuesday’s meeting, should the bid be successful.

Brandt said he is seeking a similar contribution from the province, as was the case in 2007 when Saskatoon hosted and in 2013 when Regina hosted the awards.

“Without that, we can’t move forward,” he said.

He is not expecting an immediate response from the provincial government due to the cabinet shuffle as a result of the governing Saskatchewan Party’s leadership race, he added.

Brandt said that he expects the bid to be finalized by the end of the year.

Funding will combine public and private money.

“It’s a challenge,” he said. “Financially, we’re in a difficult year in Western Canada.”

This year’s edition of the Junos in Ottawa generated an estimated $10.8 million in economic activity, Brandt said.

“It’s a pretty good investment to spend public dollars.”

The awards show, which is broadcast nationally on CBC television, was staged in 2007 at SaskTel Centre, which was called Credit Union Centre at the time.

Brandt noted the arena has been expanded since then and could now host 14,000 to 15,000 people for a show like the Junos.

The Junos have also expanded as an event in the decade since Saskatoon last hosted, Brandt said.

He suggested Saskatoon facilities like TCU Place, Prairieland Park and the new Remai Modern art gallery could all play roles in hosting the Junos.

In addition to the economic activity, the national exposure Saskatoon could get from hosting the Junos is extremely valuable from a marketing perspective, he continued.

Vancouver is to host the Junos next year.

Nelly Furtado, a rising international star at the time, hosted the 2007 awards show on April 1 in Saskatoon and won five awards.

It’s a challenge. Financially, we’re in a difficult year in Western Canada.