Business needs to cash in on Games: Campion
While it has been estimated the 2021 Canada Summer Games will bring $200 million of economic stimulus to Niagara, Welland Mayor Frank Campion is taking that number “with a grain of salt.”
Campion said he is confident that the Games will mean a significant economic impact across the region, “but I wouldn’t want to quantify that.”
Campion said the influx of athletes and spectators expected in 2021 is an opportunity for Niagara businesses.
“It’s up to individuals and businesses to recognize what those opportunities are and take advantage of them,” he said.
Doug Hamilton, who led Niagara’s efforts to bring the Games to the region, said the estimate was derived through a “standard sport tourism model” used by the Canadian Sports Tourism Alliance.
That calculation gave Hamilton and his team from the Niagara Sports Commission a range of $180 million to $240 million of economic impact.
Hamilton said most of that money is expected to be spent in Niagara, but not all of it.
“That economic impact does factor in travel and those sorts of things, so some of that would be outside the region for airlines and others that are moving people to and from the region,” he said. “It’s a little broader than just the location where the event happens.”
However, he said, because the games are being held regionwide, Niagara as a whole stands to benefit from the economic impact projections.
Welland chief administrative officer Gary Long said it’s important for the city, businesses and other stakeholders “to work together to make sure that we’re keeping the athletes, families and spectators in Welland longer.”
He said Welland Recreational Canal Corp., which manages the city waterway, is doing more to engage the business community and other stakeholders and establish some strong relationships and partnerships.
“The city and WRCC need to be part of that solution, but I think the business community also needs to be part of the success as well, through various packages and discounts and this kind of thing,” Long said.
St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle also discussed the expected economic activity related to the Canada Summer Games, while in Ottawa, Monday.
“The bid committee and Niagara area mayors and councils chose to go all-in in bidding on the Canada Summer Games and were successful. The Games will help to generate significant economic activity,” he said. “I am proud to have this opportunity to congratulate the bid committee and all residents of St. Catharines on this great success.”