Canada Summer Games set to boost business in a big way

When the 2017 Canada Summer Games rolls into Winnipeg later this week, so will thousands of tourists and their wallets.

The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce estimates the Games will be worth between $150 million and $160 million to the city's economy.

"It means so much to local businesses, of course retail, restaurants," Alana Cuma, the chamber's executive vice-president, told CBC News. "But the impact further than that will really echo, and I think it's a wonderful opportunity for Winnipeg businesses and Winnipeggers in general."

The impact that will echo, Cuma says, is the reputation Winnipeg is building when it comes to handling major events.

"We're positioned as a centre and we're attracting [big events]. Even with the Junos, that really showed that we can step up and be top notch in terms of being a world-class host," Cuma said.

While Winnipeg has hosted large events, such as like the FIFA Women's World Cup, the NHL Heritage Classi and CFL Grey Cup, the Canada Games will be bigger because they will run for two weeks.

"There's just more opportunity to have our visitors and our tourists and Winnipeggers become more engaged in this fantastic party, this celebration, that's happening within the city," she said.

Hotel expects busiest August ever

Businesses in Winnipeg and surrounding areas could see 20,000 visitors and 4,000 athletes during the Games. Those guests are expected to drop their dollars in restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets during an already busy summer season.

Ben Sparrow, general manager at Inn at the Forks, says its 115 rooms have been booked nearly solid for the duration of the Games for the past 10 months. Sparrowsays it's set to be the busiest August since the hotel opened 13 years ago.

"It's a huge impact. We need to have a few large, special events in the city to make our year a really good one," he said.

Sparrow says along with the Games, events such as Interstellar Rodeo, which will take place at the Forks the weekend after the Games are over, is helping boost his August business by 60 per cent.

Sparrows says nearly all Winnipeg businesses will get a boost, while the province will benefit from the tax revenue that will be generated.

"You look at the economic flow through to our city, it's enormous," Sparrow said.

The 2017 Canada Summer Games run from July 28 through Aug. 13.