Saskatoon set to bid on 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship | 24CA News
One of the most well-liked sporting occasions in Canada may very well be coming to Saskatoon if every part goes in response to plan.
Every 12 months on Boxing Day, the World Junior Championship begins, and Saskatchewan residents might be able to see it up shut as Saskatoon metropolis council is ready to think about a bid to host the match in 2025.
“We are so excited for the opportunity to host 21 games in the tournament,” stated John Howden, chief government officer on the SaskTel Centre. “This would include all the Team Canada games and the playoff rounds.”
Saskatoon metropolis administration is recommending $500,000 in funding be allotted to Discover Saskatoon, in hopes of providing a aggressive bid for the match. The committee voted unanimously to approve the funding on Wednesday.
Howden stated Hockey Canada approached Saskatoon with the chance, saying there have been presently two different cities within the operating.
“We believe we are a serious contender and I think our work on our 2023 bid showed that,” Howden stated.
Discover Saskatoon, as soon as referred to as Tourism Saskatoon, utilized to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to host the 2023 match, however the bid was unsuccessful. The bid got here after the IIHF withdrew its earlier approval for Russia to host the match in April 2022.
The City of Regina would even be concerned within the engagement course of, and different communities within the province may additionally be included.
“As a provincial showcase, hosting will not only take place in Saskatoon and Regina but there will be an opportunity for some pre-tournament games in cities and communities throughout Saskatchewan,” stated Discover Saskatoon CEO Stephanie Clovechok.
Clovechok expects the match would deliver in additional than 300,000 followers to the video games, in the end impacting the Saskatchewan financial system in a giant means.
It’s one thing Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce CEO Jason Aebig is glad to listen to.
“Discover Saskatoon and SaskTel Centre have mentioned some very big numbers in terms of economic impact, and they’re exciting,” Aebig stated. “I’ll simply point to the hundreds of small business that will see a lift to their bottom lines and customer traffic that week in January 2025.”
City council and Discover Saskatoon must transfer shortly on their preliminary bid, as a business plan is required to be submitted to Hockey Canada by April 24.
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