Cyclocross event economic impact pegged at $250K
Organizers of the 2018 Shimano Canadian Cyclocross Championships held earlier this month in Peterborough are touting the economic impact the event had.
An early economic impact study projects the event to contribute in excess of $250,000 to the local economy, organizers announced Tuesday, touting it as welcome at a time of the year when visitor numbers are traditionally low and noting that local tourism officials are promoting the Kawarthas as a cycling destination.
The Nov. 9 to 11 event attracted past Canadian champions, Olympic medallists, and nearly 500 riders from across Canada and two American states, competing for both national championships and UCI points.
About 5,000 spectators were on hand over the weekend, organizers announced, and the livestream online drew nearly 6,000 viewers from 20 countries.
Peterborough will again host the event next year.
“Athletes were quick to praise the event, the venue, the course and the volunteers, with many quick to call it one of their favourite Canadian championship experiences, one that they were keen to return to in 2019,” event chief John Hauser stated.
“The 2018 Shimano Canadian Cyclocross Championship event held in Peterborough was easily one of the top highlights of our 2018 national calendar,” Cycling Canada events manager Josh Peacock stated.
“We were thrilled by the level of support received by the local community not only at the municipal level, but also by the unprecedented number of volunteers who supported the success of this event .... We are already looking forward to returning to Peterborough in 2019 for the second edition of this event.”
Some initial remediation work was conducted after the event on the muddy tracks left behind at Nicholls Oval by the event. Peterborough Cycling Club and PTBO CX organizers will do more remediation to remaining sections, organizers said Tuesday.
“From eye-level, the effect of cyclocross on the land immediately following a race is pretty high-impact. At ground level, though, it’s quite the opposite, and very low impact on the root structure and ground,” Peacockstated. “The first precipitation following the race will wash the grass down, allow the ground to settle out again, and about 95 per cent of the course will remediate naturally.”