The Soo Greyhounds bid to host the 2021 Memorial Cup will be a part of the City Council discussion on Monday night.
In a report that will be brought to council on Monday, the team is seeking $300,000 from the city’s Economic Development Fund as it prepares to make a presentation to earn the right to host the annual event, which is scheduled to begin on June 17, 2021.
“Hosting the 2021 Memorial Cup would align with economic development and tourism strategies and would successfully achieve the City’s goal of economic stimulation within our economy,” the report, which was put together by Deputy CAO of Community Development and Enterprise Services Tom Vair, said. “In particular, hosting the 2021 Memorial Cup would assist segments hardest hit by COVID-19 including the hotel and hospitality sector and would be a significant boost to recovery from COVID-19.”
Earlier this week, the Ontario Hockey League announced a return to play plan that would see the league regular season begin in December, with the league playoffs running into June and leading up to the annual tournament.
In an interview, OHL commissioner David Branch talked about the bid process, which had been put on hold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The original plan was to have the team make a formal in-person presentation to the Memorial Cup Site Selection Committee in mid-April before the process was delayed.
Branch said the league hoped to be able to announce details on the selection process “over the next couple of weeks.”
The Greyhounds announced an intention to bid on hosting rights in early February.
The Greyhounds and Oshawa Generals were the only teams in the 20-team league to express interest in hosting the event.
The economic impact of hosting the event is expected to be significant.
In an Economic Impact Assessment Report prepared following the 2019 event in Halifax, the tournament brought nearly 19,000 people to Nova Scotia’s capital city and roughly $17.3 million in economic activity in the province, with just under $15 million of that in the city of Halifax.
The Greyhounds are also looking at potential funding from the NOHFC and TourismSSM as well.
Monday’s city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.
In Oshawa, city council has already agreed to help the Generals financially.
In a release issued on July 27, the City of Oshawa officially announced the approval of $360,000 in financial support.
The City of Oshawa approved $200,000 for in-kind services, a $50,000 cash contribution as well as $110,000 in upgrades to the Generals home arena, the Tribute Communities Centre, should the team be successful in securing the right to host the tournament.
The in-kind services include facility rentals for practice ice at local rinks, and staffing costs (e.g. ushers, concession staff, housekeeping, building cleaners) during the tournament. The $50,000 contribution would go to supporting the funding required for the fan fest, the beer garden with entertainment and other ancillary expenses.
Among the arena upgrades would be the expansion of the video replay room and installation of countdown clocks for the visiting team dressing rooms.
In a meeting in mid-July, Durham Regional Council also approved financial support of up to $250,000 should the Generals earn the hosting opportunity.
Durham Regional Council includes eight municipalities in the Oshawa area, including Ajax, the township of Brock, Clarington, Oshawa, Pickering, the township of Scugog, Uxbridge, and Whitby.