When True North Sports & Entertainment chairman Mark Chipman uttered the following statement into a microphone - "I am excited beyond words to announce our purchase of the Atlanta Thrashers. We received the call we've long been waiting for," - a crowd of Winnipeg residents erupted with cheers, jubilation and ball hockey games at Portage and Main.
It's been 15 years since the Winnipeg Jets left town for Phoenix and news that the city had re-entered the big leagues had the business community celebrating like it had just scored the Stanley Cup winner in double overtime.
Marina James, president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg, said the return of the NHL will trigger millions of dollars in spending on tourism, hospitality and retail. But perhaps the biggest benefit of all has no price tag - the boost to Winnipeg's international reputation.
James cited studies that show every time a visitor comes to Winnipeg, he or she spends between $167 and $337 per day, depending on the purpose of the visit. People in town for conventions, for example, tend to spend much more than leisure visitors.
The return of the NHL, while undoubtedly the story of the year for many residents, is really just another milestone in a city on the move, James said. Other significant events on the horizon include the opening of the new $585 million terminal building at James Richardson International Airport this fall, next year's opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the new stadium for the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers, plus major expansions at both the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg.
Bob Chipman, patriarch of Winnipeg's first family of hockey, said he has long maintained that the city lacked two things - an NHL franchise and an IKEA store. (IKEA is planning to open its much-anticipated location next year.)
"I think Winnipeg now has equal status with Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Vancouver as a truly important Canadian city," he said.
from Western Investor July 2011
