Local economy scores

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With the hockey season slowly starting to wind down, the Town of Strathmore has scored two major wins off the ice.

Strathmore has been selected to host two provincial championship tournaments later next month. The Wheatland Wranglers will play host to the U18B Female Provincials from March 20-23, while the Wheatland Athletic Association will host the U11AA Provincials from March 27-30.

While the local teams look to eye a provincial championship, Mayor Pat Fule said the influx of people passing through town is a massive boon for Strathmore economy.

“If the motels (and hotels) get filled and if people are driving in and out, maybe from the city, they are going to get gasoline or they are going to buy something to eat or they might grab some groceries,” he said. “It is huge for Strathmore as a town and it is huge for our businesses – so we really welcome the hockey … and we are really happy and very grateful that the volunteer coaches and managers and parents work so hard to bring these tournaments to Strathmore. It is really good for the whole town.”

Fule added Strathmore does not tend to see many travelers during the winter, thus being able to create impacts such as filling motels and hotels for a weekend has the potential to significantly impact a business’s bottom line. 

Sports tourism also influences local restaurants, as many teams will come in for a social meal or families will patron while visiting.

Having previously been a high school basketball coach, Fule explained it is often beneficial to a tournament for organizers to block-book rooms at motels and hotels to help aid travelers, as well as to inform businesses such as local restaurants of the event so they may prepare for a sudden influx of people.  

Strathmore Minor Hockey, which hosted their regularly scheduled U11 and U13 tournaments earlier this season, will be hosting their U7&U9 Jamboree tournament Feb. 15-17.

“Our community recognizes the economic benefit from so many people in town,” said Kendra Toovey, tournament coordinator for Strathmore Minor Hockey. “Whenever we host one of these things, when you drive around Strathmore, hotels, parking lots are full, restaurants are busy and it really is a … big economic driver.”