Edmonton has gained an international reputation and millions in economic spinoff by hosting the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final.
That is according to Mayor Don Iveson.
“When you start to factor in the tens of millions of people watching our beautiful city and those helicopter shots just how that starts to change perceptions of Edmonton, even locally but certainly nationally and beyond, that has a longer term value for us as well,” he said adding they estimate the economic gain was about $20 million.
“We’ve got a lot of people buying parts, enjoying themselves. After their race they are going to go out and enjoy some of the restaurants and hospitality.
“I think the return on investment is great for an event like this.”
The front desk supervisor at the Marriott Courtyard told CTV News they had to hire extra help to keep up with demand.
“We had a good amount of staff in the day and the evenings to make sure that their rooms have been clean that they are getting the amenities that they want from morning until evening,” Santosh Padukone said, adding the hotel had been full for the last week.
“We were getting calls day and night for the group bookings for international triathlon.”
Men's paratriathlon winner Aaron Scheidies said they tried out several restaurants and pubs in the city.
“We got around a little but we didn’t venture too much outside the downtown area because we were getting ready for a race and that kind of stuff.
“I would definitely recommend it to other people to come here. And I’ll probably be back in another year or two doing races here and visiting.”
That is what the City and Iveson have been hoping.
“We are working with the International Triathlon Union," Iveson said. “We’d like to be on the circuit of seven cities for the next several years.”
In a 2013 report presented to the City of Edmonton, it was estimated to cost $6.3 million to host the race, with $3.3 million provided by the City and the rest from sponsors and other levels of government.
With files from Amanda Anderson, Julia Parrish
