City commits cash to Tigers’ Memorial Cup bid

By Collin Gallant on September 5, 2024.

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The City of Medicine Hat will commit $1.25 million in cash and half that much in terms of city services toward a bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup, council determined late Tuesday night.

It passed by a 9-0 margin, with council members saying the spending, while sizeable, would create a big economic boost, plus provide a “significant” event for Hatters and profile for the city.

“It’s absolutely exciting and everyone in the city should be getting excited,” said bid committee chair Brent Sauer after the vote.

The Medicine Hat Tigers announced this summer that they intend to submit a final bid to host the event on Sept. 20, and expect a decision in late November.

On Wednesday, team ownership thanked the city for supporting the bid.

“The reality is that in a small market, a tournament of this size can only be successful with a significant financial contribution from both the municipality and senior levels of government,” Tigers president Darrell Maser said. “The host committee and the Tigers organization appreciates Medicine Hat city council and city administration for their contributions in making this bid possible.”

Sauer said more information about festivities surrounding the event will be forthcoming soon.

Up to five bids might be received from Western Hockey League cities, including Lethbridge, which received a similar guarantee of financial support from that city’s council last month.

In a briefing note, city staff recommend using $1.25 million in reserve funds to help secure the bid.

Up to $655,000 of “in kind” contributions would be provided, such as rental cost of Co-op Place for the tournament, providing bus shuttle service and providing staffing support to the bid committee with promotional material.

“It’s significant, but beyond the economic value to the community there is a cultural and historic element to hosting an event like this,” said Coun. Allison Knodel.

“I haven’t heard from anyone who is against this,” said Coun. Robert Dumanowski. “We can use some good news. Hopefully we get some.”

The Tigers have won two Memorial Cups and competed in five tournaments over 54 years, the last time in 2007 in Vancouver.

Coun. Darren Hirsch said he attended that tournament as a fan, and hosting the televised tournament would promote the city across North America.

“It’s an opportunity to host so many people from all over,” he said.

City public services officials cited a study done by Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops when the WHL Blazers hosted the tournament. It states 45 per cent of tickets were purchased by non-B.C. residents, and the overall economic impact was greater than $15 million.

Head of public services Brian Stauth said the city is prepared to help the non-profit bid committee in a number of ways.

“It’s a chance to promote the city in general,” he said, and “the Tigers are likely to have a very competitive team over the next two years.”

The 2024 Memorial Cup was held in Saginaw, Mich., and the 2025 edition will be held be Rimouski, Que.

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