A new hockey season is upon us, and it’s expected to generate millions of dollars for the local economy.
Regardless of where of the Windsor Spitfires finish this OHL season, they will be playing in May as hosts of the 2017 Mastercard Memorial Cup.
It’s one of many sporting events that have come to the Rose City, to develop the local sport tourism industry.
Windsor hosted the OFSAA Track and Field Championships in June, which attracted more than 2,500 student athletes.
The City also hosted the FINA World Diving Championships in April, and will host the FINA World Swimming Championship in December. That event will attract more than 1,000 of the world’s top swimmers from over 170 countries, plus their coaches and families.
Mayor Drew Dilkens tells CTV Windsor these events are not only an economic driver, but they help create jobs.
Dilkens estimates the economic impact of the Memorial Cup will be around $15-million. He says “hotels, restaurants, malls, other stores and even wineries will benefit.”
Nathan Sellon of the Windsor Spitfires tells CTV Windsor there is a lot of excitement for the hockey team in the community. He notes season ticket sales are up and they have new sponsors.
Windsor also hosted the CARHA hockey tournament in April. Dilkens says businesses reported an increase in sales of upwards of 30 per cent.
The potential is the same for the FINA World Swimming Championship, which will also be held at the WFCU.
Dilkens says "every single hotel room in the city has been reserved for FINA.” He notes 300 hotel rooms have also been reserved in Detroit.
The mayor admits he would like to see more development around the WFCU to take advantage of these events. He tells CTV Windsor that the city is talking to a residential developer and also looking at other opportunities for the community centre.
