The Alliance for Events Conventions and Tradeshows (Events Alliance) is led by Economic Development Regina and consists of representation from the City of Regina (City), Regina Hotel Association, Evraz Place, Tourism Saskatchewan, Provincial Capital Commission and the University of Regina. The Events Alliance mandate is to provide strategic, long-term guidance and oversight in the identification of major city-wide and regional prospects that are an ideal fit within our community, facilities and hotels.
Events Alliance is working with community partners to help secure the opportunity to host the 2021 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling – Humpty’s Champions Cup in Regina.
The purpose of this report is to recommend the provision of financial support to Curl Regina Inc. should they be successful in securing the event.
Financial Implications
The proposed City contribution to support the hosting of the 2021 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling – Humpty’s Champions Cup is a cash grant of $30,000. This amount should be added to and approved in the 2021 General Operating Budget as a onetime investment. Categorizing this support as a onetime investment ensures that the resulting $30,000 increase in budgeted expenditures will not inadvertently carry forward into the City`s operating budgets for 2022 and beyond. The appropriate funding source for this onetime investment will be identified during the formulation of the 2021 General Operating Budget.
Strategic Implications
Providing financial support to this event:
· supports the City’s vision and is aligned with its Community Priority to embrace built heritage and invest in arts, culture, sport and recreation;
· supports outcome number five of the Recreation Master Plan where citizens are proud of their community, its facilities and spaces, the events and opportunities it offers, and its level of volunteerism; and
· aligns with the Regina Cultural Plan objective of Strengthening Festivals and Events.
A large part of Regina’s cultural vibrancy is tied to its many and diverse festivals and events. These events contribute to a sense of civic pride and cohesion among residents. Regina is home to a variety of well-established festivals and events that bring significant economic benefit to the city.
There are no environmental, accessibility or other implications.
The City could choose to not provide financial support to this event. Choosing this option would result in the City forgoing any opportunity to participate in or be recognized by the event’s media and marketing materials. It is anticipated that this event will generate a minimum of 20 hours of national broadcasting exposure seen by an audience of approximately 1.8 to 2.0 million. This loss of recognition could erode the City’s reputation as a supporter of special events and lead to the community being seen as a less attractive hosting option.
The corporate City of Regina logo will be shared to be implemented into promotions material to recognize the City as a sponsor of this event.
The Opportunity
The Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling is a blend of professional sporting event and grass roots community initiative, which brings both national exposure and local promotion to each community it visits. Owned and operated by Sportsnet, the Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling series consists of seven events within the World Curling Tour each season. This elite series boasts the strongest fields in curling comprised of the World’s top teams. The Humpty’s Champions Cup is the newest Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling event and showcases all the top winners on tour over the course of the season in one final showdown. The community has an opportunity to host the Humpty’s Champions Cup April 28 – May 2, 2021.
The Local Host
Curl Regina Inc. will take the lead establishing the local host committee. Curl Regina Inc. is a not for profit organization that was formed during the 1990s to:
i. co-ordinate and promote the growth of youth and adult curling initiatives throughout the community,
ii. co-ordinate the promotion of curling at all levels of participation,
iii. co-ordinate and support the Saskatchewan Curling Association 1997 Inc. sanctioned curling competitions and competitors and
iv. facilitate the hosting of regional, provincial, national and international curling events.
The board of Curl Regina Inc. consists of representatives from each curling club within the city as well as a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Given its long-term stability, its connection to the local curling community and its experience hosting the 2017 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling Tour Challenge event, Curl Regina Inc. represents a strong community partner that has the expertise to lead the community in hosting the 2021 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling – Humpty’s Champions Cup. Curl Regina Inc. is also working in partnership with Events Regina and Evraz Place. The Cooperators Arenas at Evraz Place will be the venue for this event.
The Request of the City
To obtain this event, Curl Regina Inc. must pay a hosting fee of $160,000. The City’s proposed contribution is $30,000 with the balance of the fee to be to be split among the Regina Hotel Association, Tourism Saskatchewan and Curl Regina Inc. In addition, Curl Regina Inc. is required to spend $10,000 in marketing to promote the event within the community.
Local Impact
The 2021 Pinty’s Grand Slam of Curling – Humpty’s Champions Cup is a turn-key event. Curl Regina Inc. supplies a suitable venue and approximately 150 to 180 volunteers to assist with the event. Sportsnet provides the curling teams, a professional event production team, all production equipment, a minimum of 20 hours of national broadcast time with 1.8 to 2.0 million viewers, national and local marketing campaigns, manages all event logistics, creates demand for hotel accommodations of approximately 651 room nights, and generates an economic impact for the community estimated at $1 million.
Events Alliance has assessed this opportunity based on its economic impact, legacy, contribution to community pride, community engagement, potential for media exposure, availability of partnerships, and an assessment of the potential organizing committee’s strength and capacity to deliver the event. This opportunity was rated favourably as a result of its economic benefits, opportunity for positive exposure for Regina and the strong community support to host the event. As a result, Administration recommends approval of the request for support in the form of a $30,000 cash grant.
There have been no previous decisions related to this recommendation.
The recommendation in this report requires City Council approval.
Respectfully Submitted, Respectfully Submitted,
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