On Jan. 25, council approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the Hockey Alberta Midget A Female Provincial Championships, held in Olds.
The tournament will bring 200 athletes plus parents and coaches to Olds during the March 10-13 weekend, said Jackie Taylor, the host committee co-chair.
Coun. Mary Jane Harper congratulated the committee on winning the bid. She added the tournament will be a boon for local businesses.
"I think you will be good ambassadors for our community and make sure you encourage people to spend money in our community," Harper said.
Taylor said this group of midget A Grizzlys has been to provincials every year since playing at the atom level and that hosting the championship would make the perfect send-off for graduating players.
Two more teams than expected will participate in provincials, she said, driving that number up to 10.
"We thought there were a couple of zones that would not be represented in the A division. We were since informed that they would be letting one team into the A division and pulling a wildcard team out of Calgary."
In a budget submitted to council, the major expenses include ice time, referees, clothing and gifts. Revenues include admission, raffles, merchandise sales and advertising and donations. The budget projects a $15 loss.
Teams are not required to pay an entrance fee so the host committee assumes responsibility for expenses, Taylor said.