Organizing Committee member Richard Wurst was happy to tell Bonnyville council on Tuesday that the World Junior A Challenge proved to be a runaway hit, including on the financial front.
“From our committee perspective the challenge was extremely successful from all aspects,” Wurst told council. “We had great fan attendance, we had great support from the teams that attended and Hockey Canada, we had great support from Town Council, we had fantastic comments from around the world about the event, the facility, the town and the volunteers.
“Best of all I think was the economic benefit to the town. It was immense for the restaurants and the hotels and businesses in general. The way I look at it was a great way to end a not-so-great year.”
Although he says some final numbers still have to be crunched, Wurst confirmed to council that the tournament was in fact able to turn a profit. Mayor Gene Sobolewski remarked that the attendance for afternoon games in particular was much higher than in other towns that have hosted the challenge.
Wurst says the committee is still wrapping up the tournament that just past and says they have yet to consider hosting another Hockey Canada event.