Latest news with #ExploreEdmonton
Calgary Herald
8 hours ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Oilers' Stanley Cup playoff run rakes in more than $266 million for Edmonton
While the final series didn't go as planned for the Edmonton Oilers, the city once again made out like bandits in the playoffs with a total economic benefit of $266.7 million. Article content After netting $280 million last year, recent Explore Edmonton analysis shows it was another successful season for the city in hosting its second Stanley Cup Finals in a row. Despite having three fewer games in the whole playoffs, the city was still left with more money than costs. Explore Edmonton says the impact is evidence of the profound effect of sports tourism, and how this city can benefit from it. Article content Article content Article content 'Sport Tourism matters because it creates an incredible energy that people want to be a part of and travel to experience,' said Traci Bednard, CEO and president of Explore Edmonton. Article content Article content Explore Edmonton recorded 80,000 overnight stays throughout the playoffs, which shows promise in attracting people to the city for the games. The city's tourism group also said that game days brought out crowds of up to 30,000 people downtown. Article content 'The impact of the Oilers' playoff run was seen, felt and heard in key markets across the globe for a two-month long playoff run. That's an incredible spotlight on Edmonton's businesses, restaurants, and attractions resulting in a direct impact on the visitor economy,' said Bednard. Article content Last year, Explore Edmonton explained that it's economic impact analysis was done using a tool by Destinations International which uses a variety of data, including overnight stays, to inform its calculation. However, the tool fails to account for non-numerical inputs like the enhanced visibility of the city during the coverage of the playoffs. Explore Edmonton did its part to expand the visibility by activating over 100 hype 'hubs,' distributing through local businesses and organizations roughly 10,000 'Our Time' posters, and marketing the city on billboards in Florida, which it said racked up two million views. Article content Article content The impact of increasing the city's global presence and reputation is tough to track, but less than half a year after the Oilers' 2024 playoff run, Edmonton was named in the Lonely Planet's 30 best destinations for 2025. Article content Article content 'Our quest for the Stanley Cup not only infused a sense of pride in our community but had significant economic benefit. Sport tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry and continues to be a significant strategic opportunity for Edmonton to capture and benefit from the growing market and economic impacts,' Mayor Amarjeet Sohi in a statement. Article content
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Stanley Cup Playoffs brought big bucks to Edmonton, despite loss: Explore Edmonton
Explore Edmonton says the Oilers 2025 playoff run generated more than $266 million for the city's economy. While the Oilers may not have brought home the cup, their attempts brought home about a quarter-billion dollars. Explore Edmonton said the economic impact of this year's playoff run was 'pretty incredible' at $266.7 million. 'The impact of this run was seen, felt and heard in key markets across the globe for a two month playoff run,' said Amanda Krumins, Explore Edmonton's executive director of communications and marketing. 'And they weren't just watching, they were coming to town.' Krumins said the economic impact includes 80,000 overnight stays in Edmonton, as well as guest spending on transportation and food. It also looks at the impact on wages for locals who work and earn more during the playoffs. 'We have heard from bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels across the whole city that saw a surge in business, which really demonstrates how city-wide events can fuel local vibrancy and economic success,' she added. Puneeta McBryan, CEO of the Edmonton Downtown Business Association, said the playoffs have been a welcome boost for local businesses during what is normally a slump for downtown businesses. 'There's this really slow, hard period between Christmas and the summer,' McBryan said. 'The last few years, we've been incredibly fortunate to have this team bringing tens of thousands of people to our downtown multiple times a week, and it changes the dynamic … all we can do is hope that it's going to be a few more years of having these really deep playoff runs.' Explore Edmonton estimated the 2024 playoff impacts at $280 million. That means this year's per-game impact was actually higher, Krumins said, because there were three fewer games in the run. 'What we really experienced this year is that the playoff energy was city-wide. You didn't have to step foot in Rogers Place to really get that playoff spirit,' she added. 'There were fans in orange and blue from downtown to local pubs, to watch parties in people's living rooms, and that drove business and excitement across the whole town.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Amanda Anderson
The Province
13 hours ago
- Sport
- The Province
Oilers' Stanley Cup playoff run rakes in more than $266M for Edmonton
"Sport Tourism matters because it creates an incredible energy that people want to be a part of and travel to experience.' Edmonton Oilers' fans cheer on the team against the Florida Panthers, during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals, from a watch party outside Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton, Monday, June 9, 2025. Photo by David Bloom / Postmedia While the final series didn't go as planned for the Edmonton Oilers, the city once again made out like bandits in the playoffs with a total economic benefit of $266.7 million. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors After netting $280 million last year, recent Explore Edmonton analysis shows it was another successful season for the city in hosting its second Stanley Cup Finals in a row. Despite having three fewer games in the whole playoffs, the city was still left with more money than costs. Explore Edmonton says the impact is evidence of the profound effect of sports tourism, and how this city can benefit from it. 'Sport Tourism matters because it creates an incredible energy that people want to be a part of and travel to experience,' said Traci Bednard, CEO and president of Explore Edmonton. Explore Edmonton recorded 80,000 overnight stays throughout the playoffs, which shows promise in attracting people to the city for the games. The city's tourism group also said that game days brought out crowds of up to 30,000 people downtown. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ' The impact of the Oilers' playoff run was seen, felt and heard in key markets across the globe for a two-month long playoff run. That's an incredible spotlight on Edmonton's businesses, restaurants, and attractions resulting in a direct impact on the visitor economy,' said Bednard. Last year, Explore Edmonton explained that it's economic impact analysis was done using a tool by Destinations International which uses a variety of data, including overnight stays, to inform its calculation. However, the tool fails to account for non-numerical inputs like the enhanced visibility of the city during the coverage of the playoffs. Explore Edmonton did its part to expand the visibility by activating over 100 hype 'hubs,' distributing through local businesses and organizations roughly 10,000 'Our Time' posters, and marketing the city on billboards in Florida, which it said racked up two million views. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The impact of increasing the city's global presence and reputation is tough to track, but less than half a year after the Oilers' 2024 playoff run, Edmonton was named in the Lonely Planet's 30 best destinations for 2025. 'Our quest for the Stanley Cup not only infused a sense of pride in our community but had significant economic benefit. Sport tourism is a multi-billion-dollar industry and continues to be a significant strategic opportunity for Edmonton to capture and benefit from the growing market and economic impacts,' Mayor Amarjeet Sohi in a statement. Read More Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Local News News
CBC
25-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Edmonton city council approves rezoning application for nordic spa development
After weighing the pros and cons of allowing a nordic spa to be built in southwest Edmonton, city councillors voted unanimously to pass a rezoning application for the project on Monday, allowing it to go forward. Scandinave Group Inc., which has built similar spas in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia, has proposed building a nordic spa — Edmonton's first — in Brander Gardens, right beside the river valley, on land owned by the University of Alberta Properties Trust. Steve Arsenault, the company's president and CEO, said the project will include saunas, steam baths, cold plunges and outdoor relaxation areas, among other features. He said the spa will enhance Edmonton's reputation as a wellness destination and bring investment dollars, jobs and tourism revenue to the city. "Through this project, we are committed to hiring locally," he told councillors during a public hearing on Monday afternoon. Also speaking in support of the project, Melissa Radu, the executive director of destination stewardship with the marketing organization Explore Edmonton, said the spa would help businesses attract visitors during the slower winter and shoulder seasons. She said wellness tourists spent more than other visitors, directly benefiting local businesses. Some critics told councillors the project would harm the environment and questioned how a private facility would benefit the public. "This will destroy, despite the rhetoric, the rich biodiversity on the property," said Ramsey Heights resident Gloria Michalchuk. Arsenault said construction would be carried out with the utmost care to preserve the natural environment and Stantec's Yolanda Lew, speaking on behalf of Scandinave, said residential construction on the site would lead to the loss of even more trees. Opposing speakers also brought up concerns about consultation with First Nations and the desire for a public walkway on the top of the bank, overlooking the river. Tim Cartmell, who represents ward pihêsiwin, where the site is located, said he's excited about the project, including the possibility of reduced rates for Edmontonians to access the facility at certain times. "There's really just an abundance of positives here that, for me, really outweigh the potential negatives," he said. Cartmell said if the nordic spa development did not go ahead, the land would be used for residential development. He said the neighbourhood doesn't need more housing since more than half of residential units in the Brander Gardens are rentals, the area is denser than most parts of his ward and local schools are overwhelmed. "This is frankly a better alternative," he said. Though Cartmell said he appreciates residents' concerns about not having a walkway on the west edge of the property, the nordic spa proposal opens up the possibility of building a multi-use path between the Fort Edmonton Footbridge and Whitemud Road. Through an agreement with the University of Alberta, which would be triggered at the development permit stage, the city could purchase a strip of land along the north property line.
