Olds council has approved a total of $1,000 in grants to help cover costs for two upcoming hockey tournaments in town.
During its Feb. 27 meeting, town council approved $500 each for the Bantam Female Elite hockey team, which is hosting provincials March 16 to18 in Olds and the Bantam AAs who are hosting provincials March 30 to April 2.
Pat Vincent, the town's interim chief administrative officer, says the money will be used to help offset some of the costs Olds Minor Hockey will incur hosting the two tournaments.
"They've got things like ice rental, referees' fees, program printing, insurance. There are meals that they have to put on for the teams and stuff," Vincent says.
He was impressed with the teams' presentations and what he described as their "solid business plan" as they asked for the grants.
"They're doing a pretty good job of raising funds," Vincent says. "They've got a budget of about $28,000 for this. So from community passes and admissions they're going to raise about $3,000.
"They'll probably raise $1,500 to $2,000 in 50/50s and raffles. Advertising and sponsors $15,000 and program sales $500."
Vincent says the two tournaments should have positive impact on the Olds economy.
"It's going to be a couple of busy weekends around town," he says. "There'll be 80 to 85 hockey players and then of course their parents and family and stuff, so it's going to be good for local business - the hotels, the restaurants, the gas stations."
Vincent estimates 80 to 85 hockey players alone will descend upon Olds for each championship.
"Each of the teams have, I think, 20 players, so there'll be 80 to 85 players coming in for each tournament, plus their officials, the coaches and managers and all the parents and other family members who may be travelling, because they're 14, 15 years old," he says.
"There'll be 80 to 85 hockey players and then of course their parents and family and stuff, so it's going to be good for local business - the hotels, the restaurants, the gas stations." PAT VINCENT ACTING CAO TOWN OF OLDS
