Thousands of curling fans coming out to watch some of the world’s top curlers is expected to be good for business in Okotoks.
The WFG Masters is in Okotoks on Oct. 25-30 at the Pason Centennial Arena.
Alexandra Ross, Okotoks economic development specialist, said the event will likely bring new customers to some local businesses, but it will also bring the town valuable exposure across Canada and internationally.
With 30 teams, coaches and thousands of tickets available for the event each day, she said some businesses can expect a boost to sales.
“Usually the visitors are spending money on food and beverages, gift stores and gas stations, accommodation and transportation,” said Ross.
The benefits are expected to extend beyond the six-day event.
Ross said the event is great exposure for the community as Okotoks will be featured on Sportsnet during televised coverage of the event and the Town has prepared clips showcasing tourism opportunities in the community. Some games may even be televised internationally, she added.
“I’m hoping this video clip that we prepared will entice people to come here in the summer-time when we have events going,” said Ross.
She said the Town will also have an information table at the event to highlight local businesses and tourism to entice people to come back for another visit.
The benefits could also spin-off through the Foothills region, Ross added.
“When visitors come here, they want to see more,” she said. “They’re not just going outside of the arena and going back inside. They will explore the entire area,” she said.
Businesses in the area hoping the event will help their bottom line.
Jaclyn Boecks, manager of the Okotoks Original Joes, said she is expecting the event to give a boost to the restaurant. Original Joes is one of several restaurants within walking distance of the Pason Centennial Arena.
“I would definitely expect to see it be a little busier that weekend and through that week as well,” said Boecks.
She said she may have extra staff on hand to help.
“I might be staffing slightly extra just for those days,” said Boecks. “For those four days we’ll probably have a little bit of back up.”
The head of the Olde Towne Okotoks merchants group is expecting curling fans will venture into the Olde Towne area to shop and eat.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that people will,” said Gil Freund. “They’re not going to come into town, go there and that’s it.”
A scarecrow contest was organized in the Olde Towne Okotoks area as a way to draw visitors to downtown Okotoks during the curling event.
Freund said some may have been to Okotoks in the past and will know what local businesses have to offer, and may even have a favourite or two they want to go back to, or they will want to explore.
“Either they already know about Okotoks and will venture up and down Southridge Drive or will come into the Olde part of town,” he said. “I think that’s typically what anyone who hasn’t been around before does.”
As owner of Rumpled Quilt Skins, Freund said the business has a unique niche that may appeal to a small segment, but he still expects to get some new customers thanks to the event.
“It’s a bit of a specialty store, but do we expect that it will? I’m thinking yes because there’s going to be all kinds of people out here,” he said.
