Flatwater centre partnership benefiting Welland
The partnership between the
City of Welland and RowOntario continues to go strong as the organization has again chosen the Rose City for its masters rowing championships.
The July event will see competitors from across Ontario and parts of the United States competing on Welland International Flatwater Centre’s north course.
Richard Dalton, Welland’s manager of recreation and culture, said the partnership between the city and RowOntario has been great.
Over the nearly 10 years the two have been working together, RowOntario has brought “high performance” and “talent identification” camps and various kinds of events to the flatwater centre facilities. Dalton said there is even a new event, the RowOntario Speed Orders, coming as well.
In a media release, RowOntario expressed its eagerness to continue its partnership with Welland.
“It was important that we found a host partner that valued the importance of (the masters rowing championships),” executive director Ander Backer said.
Dalton said being chosen year after year to host these kinds of events brings pride to the city as it speaks to the quality of the water and the facilities that Welland has to offer.
The events also have a positive economic impact.
“It’s really a part of the sports tourism activity of our city,” Dalton said. “Once they’re in town, there is money being spent.”
When competitions such as those RowOntario hosts come to the area, Dalton said, competitors and spectators alike visit stores and restaurants, and a number stay at local hotels if they’re coming from afar or wanting to stay longer. Even purchasing gasoline factors into the contribution these visitors make.
He wouldn’t put a dollar figure on it though, saying anecdotes are far more effective and better indicators for him as to how positively the events affect Wellanders.
He said business owners regularly want to know when to expect a water event so they can have more staff on hand and get ready for an influx of people.
Another positive impact of having RowOntario events and other events has been what Dalton calls building the local sports community. Many locals participate in the events.
The city is looking forward to continuing the partnership with
RowOntario and hosting its and others’ events
Dalton said the city isn’t capable of hosting large-scale events, such as the Canada Games coming in 2021, regularly, but smaller events are very doable.