By Thia James

Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour could come to P.A.

Jul 3, 2015 | 12:12 PM

The City of Prince Albert is looking into bringing the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour to the city during the 2015-2016 season. 

City officials met with tour representatives to discuss the possibility. Tentative, but unconfirmed dates for the tour’s Prince Albert stop would be March 26 and 27. The location being considered for the stop is Central Avenue, right in front of City Hall.

Rogers launched the tour during the last NHL season. The tour visits a different Canadian town or city each weekend during the regular season. The visit would include a live pre-game NHL broadcast with host Ron MacLean and community events.

In a report compiled by the City’s recreation manager Derek Blais, the potential positive spinoff effects for Prince Albert are outlined. The City would receive national exposure through the broadcast, there would be fundraising opportunities for local hockey teams and there could be a community event with an estimated attendance of up to 10,000 people.

“The City of Prince Albert is very fortunate to have been selected to be a host site for the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, The economic impact and exposure of the Community on a National level would be tremendous,” Blais wrote.

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Last year, the tour averaged more than $1 million in gross economic impact, Blais wrote in his report.

Hosting the tour would not come at any cost beyond in-kind support and the use of City facilities and open space.

Blais’ report recommends that council agrees to allow the city to host the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour. A decision is expected to be made at Monday’s council meeting.

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames