Lethbridge performed host to various main sporting occasions in 2024, leading to thousands and thousands of {dollars} getting into the native economic system.
From NCAA basketball’s Western Slam match, to the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks internet hosting the Alberta Faculties Athletic Convention (ACAC) girls’s volleyball championships, there was lots to do in southern Alberta.
Based on a current report, over $18 million was spent in Lethbridge final yr. This, in accordance with Dominika Wojcik of Tourism Lethbridge, is a constructive that isn’t exhibiting any indicators of slowing down.
“We all know that these {dollars} are being spent in lodges and eating places and native companies. We hold seeing that quantity rising, which is incredible for our metropolis,” stated Wojcik.
Regardless of Lethbridge lacking out on bids for the 2026 Memorial Cup and the Scotties, Wijcik says town continues to be on the up and up in the case of bringing larger sporting occasions.
“Lethbridge is de facto establishing itself as a premier sports activities vacation spot. It’s nice as a result of we’ve got the appropriate services, we’ve got the appropriate volunteers, we’ve got spectators, we’ve got all the things that folks want in an effort to come do tournaments right here and large, main sporting occasions.
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“We’re actively searching for these large occasions for our metropolis to deliver these financial impression numbers right here.”
Within the Lethbridge Sport Tourism Influence report, solely round 62 per cent of occasions, which implies 214 in whole, have been counted. Consequently, Susan Eymann, the manager director of the Lethbridge Sport Council, says the true financial impression is probably going even bigger.
“The quantity final yr was slightly below $8 million. It wasn’t as a result of there have been fewer occasions that have been going down, however we collected much less information. So, this yr you’ll be able to see the quantity is greater as a result of we collected extra information. It wasn’t for each occasion in Lethbridge, so we anticipate that the general quantity would truly be over $20 million,” stated Eymann.
She says the big occasions definitely make a big impact, however smaller occasions shouldn’t be discounted both.
“Sport organizations host their occasions for different causes. There could also be a fundraising part, nevertheless it’s about that hometown benefit. Additionally, when all the prices are rising in sports activities and simply normally, then being able to host an occasion in Lethbridge and lower down on these journey prices is large.”
Already in 2025, Lethbridge has hosted the U Sports activities and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Affiliation/Curling Canada championships, together with the Skilled Bull Riders of Canada and plenty of different occasions.
Later this yr, Lethbridge Polytechnic has introduced it can host the ACAC soccer championships as nicely.
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