Athletes during the opening ceremony of the 2019 Tony Cote Summer Games held in Flying Dust First Nation. (File Photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Economic engine

Thousands of visitors expected for games in P.A.

Feb 25, 2020 | 5:14 PM

Prince Albert city council has approved $75,000 worth of funding for a massive sporting event coming to P.A. this spring.

The Tony Cote Winter Games will feature over 3,000 athletes aged 10 to 18 from 74 First Nations across Saskatchewan.

This year’s annual event is being jointly hosted by James Smith Cree Nation, Sturgeon Lake First Nation and Wahpeton Dakota Nation from April 12 to 17.

Games manager, Tami McKenzie told paNOW every hotel in the city is booked for the weeklong competition. Organizers even secured accommodation in Warman, Melfort and Shellbrook to house the up to 10,000 athletes, coaches and spectators set to descend on the city.

“It’s going to be really huge,” McKenzie said. “The economy’s going to boost, everything’s going to boost in the City of P.A. for April.”

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She added in talks with city staff it was estimated the sporting event could generate nearly $10 million in economic activity for the region.

On Monday night councillors applauded the Tony Cote Winter Games and the far-reaching impact they could have on the city.

“It’s going to be a great week in P.A.,” Coun. Blake Edwards said. “The businesses are going to be booming all the way through and the community full of life.”

At the same meeting, the city’s politicians approved $22,500 for the Saskatchewan Seniors Fitness Association 55+ Games set to take place in June.

Both grants came from the Destination Marketing Fund, a pot of money generated by a levy applied to hotels.

The ESSO Cup National Female Midget Championship, which will take place in P.A. the week after the Tony Cote Winter Games also received $75,000 from the same fund.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom