By Glenn Hicks

World softball tourney generates big profit, stage set for more global events

Sep 7, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The group responsible for Prince Albert’s highly successful hosting of the World Junior Men’s Softball Championship in July says the physical and financial stage has been set for future provincial, national and international events.

According to the local organizing committee the summer tournament, which was fully-embraced by the community and lauded by the world governing body, generated at least $150,000 in profits, over 3,000 hotel room nights, and boosted the local economy to the tune of at least $9 million.

Speaking after a post-tournament wrap-up meeting of the committee this week, co-chair Felix Casavant told paNOW there had already been some initial discussion about an even bigger tournament in five years from now.

“We’d really like to look at bringing in the Senior Men’s in 2023, “Casavant said. “That gives us a few years to get over this tournament, but also the Senior Men’s is the top quality world championship you can bring to an area.”

He added the way the recent tournament had been supported by the public and the city of Prince Albert, left little doubt with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) that another major event could come to town.

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“The WBSC chairman who attended the closing ceremonies told us that our event had been second to none in the world and he guaranteed us that if we ever wanted to host anything we only had to ask and it would be given to us,” Casavant said.

The committee’s various directors are still finalizing exact numbers and there are still outstanding bills to pay after the global summer showdown but Casavant said the $150,000 in profits, boosted by daily attendances of plus 2,000 , would be re-invested into two key areas.

“It’ll be put right back into our facility and also make sure there is seed money there for our next, younger group of directors to take on an application for a World or Canadian championship,” he said.

Casavant said the 3,100 hotel room night stays involving the 13 national teams, their entourages and additional visitors to P.A., didn’t include those staying at bed and breakfasts and house rentals. Although it was a guess, he said the tournament had likely exceeded the $8 million they’d estimated in local economic growth when they put in their original bid to host the event, “contributing  $9 million if not $10 million.”

In addition to the feel-good factor for Prince Albert, the straight economic impact and the inroads the local softball scene has made internationally, Casavant said the 2018 World Junior Men’s Softball Championship had also left a lasting legacy.

“We’re leaving behind a beautiful park which is second to none in the world, with three fully-lighted venues equipped to put on any kind of tournament we would think possible,” he said.

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow