The Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) is one step closer to hosting the country’s largest street hockey festival in 2024. The organization is looking to host PlayOn! Canada for three years in a row, starting next year.
It asked city council for a letter of support and a conditional approval of $210,000, which would be broken down to $70,000 annually for each year of the event.
The request was approved unanimously on May 2 and the event will be contingent on PlayOn! Canada receiving federal and/or provincial dollars for the remainder of the required funding.
The city’s commitment would come from the major community event grant budget and if used, will take up most of the amount budgeted.
“This proposed event would lead to significant social and economic benefits not just for Downtown Lethbridge, but for the entire city and region,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “An event similarly sized to the one in Calgary would result in approximately $700,000 annually in direct community benefit through spending on hotels, travel, food, and shopping.”
The DBRZ has received letters of support from Tourism Lethbridge, the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club, the Lethbridge Lodging Association, and the Lethbridge Sport Council.
“It is anticipated that this event would see approximately 1,800 unique attendees come into the downtown core during the festival,” said Emily Chong, marketing and communications manager with the DBRZ. “Not only would this event provide a healthy option for all ages to get involved in the community, but it would also bring activity and vibrancy to the downtown.”
READ MORE: Lethbridge looks to host PlayOn! Street hockey tournament next year