Alberta High School Football Championship Generates $170,000 for Wood Buffalo’s Economy
Fort McMurray, Alberta – February 11, 2019. In November 2018, SMS Equipment Stadium at MacDonald Island Park was the host venue for Alberta’s high school football championship – the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) Alberta Bowl. The ASAA Alberta Bowl featured 5 games across 2 days of competition all at SMS Equipment Stadium, hosting teams from 10 different high schools across the province.
During the event, an Economic Impact Assessment was completed by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance using their steam pro 2.0 tool, which calculates the impact of sport tourism events in Canadian communities. Economic impact surveyors were dispatched to ask visiting players, coaches, and parents as well as event organizers and volunteers some general questions about their stay in Fort McMurray and spending habits in town during the event. Over the course of the two-day event, approximately $170,000 was injected into Wood Buffalo’s economy as a direct result of the ASAA Alberta Bowl. Fort McMurray Tourism’s Sport Tourism Co-Ordinator, Tyler Cole, said that “We have world-class sport facilities here in Wood Buffalo and are thrilled that the ASAA Alberta Bowl was such an overwhelming success. The teams and spectators really enjoyed their time in our region and the opportunity to compete in a stadium which has hosted CFL games, we can’t wait to welcome them back in the future!”
Some survey questions designed to determine the quality of experience had by visitors to Fort McMurray were also asked. 55% of people surveyed were visiting Fort McMurray for the first time, and 70% of them stated that they were likely to return to Fort McMurray in the future. 411 people visited from out of town for the event, spending approximately $115,000 locally as a direct result of the ASAA Alberta Bowl.
About Fort McMurray Sport Tourism
A department of Fort McMurray Tourism, Fort McMurray Sport Tourism works to maximize the economic impact and positive visitor experience of visitors to our community for the numerous sporting events we host each year. We strive to maximize the world-class sport assets that exist throughout the Wood Buffalo region, and host memorable events that create ambassadors for our community when they return home. For a listing of future sporting events or for assistance with your next sport tourism event, find us online at www.sporttourismfortmcmurray.ca or call (780) 791-4336.
