Benefits of post-season hockey
LOCAL BUSINESSES ENJOYING A SPIKE IN ACTIVITY
While five Canadian NHL teams and our own Lethbridge Hurricanes are scoring goals on the ice during the 2017 playoff season, the economic spinoff created by the post-season action is lighting up local businesses as well.
Cory Medd from Two Guys and a Pizza Place said the playoffs are usually a good time of the year for pizza places, especially when Canadian teams are involved.
“I would say last year didn’t have as much of an impact as this year,” he said. “Even me and my friends think about pizza, beer, and watching the hockey games.”
Medd said while the games are shown on television in the restaurant, they are primarily seeing the uptick in business on the delivery side.
“Our dining room is fairly normal (for business) I would say,” he said. “And it’s nice that some of the games are on later, because it gives people an alternative to watch them here after the supper rush.”
In particular, Medd said there has been an increase on Mondays and Wednesdays, when they are traditionally slower.
“It’s nice to have any kind of kick, for sure,” he said.
Dave Lachance, an operating partner for Browns Socialhouse, said the playoffs have resulted in a lot of extra business this year.
“Having that sort of excitement in hockey brings bodies to the restaurant, and generates all kinds of excitement for the restaurant atmosphere,” he said. “It’s a little more lively than we’re used to. People are interacting with each other a lot more, which is always good to see.”
Lachance said Browns has built up a reputation as the home away from home for Lethbridge Hurricanes fans, showing away games on their screens.
“We play the road games all season long,” he said. “And then, through the playoffs, we show all their games. It’s something we’ve seen grow as the Hurricanes have made their run.
“It was maybe a dozen people for the first game of the playoffs. (Tuesday night) we had 70 on the westside and another 50 at the south location. It’s been good.”
As for NHL teams, it seems as though local residents are more engaged the closer to home the action is.
“It’s a big difference when Calgary and Edmonton are involved,” Medd said. “It’s even nice that the Hurricanes are winning. It’s bringing some vibrance to the city, and we’re big supporters, too. It’s been fun.”
Lachance said the Edmonton Oilers are well represented on game night, and Flames fans less so.
“And then the other teams, it’s a smattering here and there. We’ve got a couple die-hard Leafs fans, a couple die-hard (Senators) fans who come in for every game,” he said.
“We don’t get to ask every guest who comes in exactly why they are here, but when they come in to watch a game, it is very clear. There’s a marked difference in 2017, for sure.”
Overall, hockey has a direct economic impact of $2.6 billion moving between communities every year, according to a 2015 study sponsored by Scotiabank and Canadian Tire. Of that number, 52 per cent was directly related to tourismrelated activities.
The study showed that number rises to $5.1 billion when direct and indirect impacts are considered for hockey of all levels. All economic activity related to hockey in Canada could amount to $11.2 billion annually, with almost 50 per cent coming from tourism-related activities.