The 2018 Ford World Women’s Curling Championships this winter had a $7 million economic impact on the City of North Bay.
See: The 2018 Ford World Women's Curling Championships in Photos
“In addition to the economic spin-off to our community we were able to showcase our City to the World," says Mayor Al McDonald. "The event organizers, athletes, and visitors were amazed by our hospitality and facilities."
The City is hoping to build on that success by hosting more curling events in the future.
"The 2018 Ford World Women's Curling Championship was a resounding success, both on and off the ice, and we were thrilled to see the City of North Bay reap so many positive benefits from hosting the event," added, Katherine Henderson, CEO Curling Canada. "We've seen this repeatedly over the years as Canadian cities gain national and international exposure from hosting Curling Canada championships, and I know that based on what transpired last March in North Bay, I'm sure the city will be in the mix for a future championship event," .
Information collected from surveys during and after the event are used as inputs to the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance’s economic impact assessment tool.
“The tool utilizes the spending of the out-of-town attendees to the event, the expenditures of the event organizers, and the capital construction costs directly attributed to the event," explains Melinda Fry, the city's Sports and Events Manager.
“The $7.3 million economic spin-off to the community, coupled with immeasurable exposure received by curling in the city and the exposure of the City to the world, will be long-lasting legacies of the event”, said Dave Bennett, the co-chair of the organizing committee.
