Tourism Saskatoon eyes 2020 Juno Awards bid

The Juno Awards could be coming to Saskatoon in 2020.

Tourism Saskatoon is putting together a bid for the Canadian music awards show, hoping to bring it back to the Bridge City for the first time since 2007.

“The young, dynamic nature of Saskatoon is such a great fit for this event,” Tourism Saskatoon CEO Todd Brandt told 650 CKOM.

“I think it’s even better rationale to host in 2020 than in 2007.”

He noted hosting the Junos would involve approximately 72 events across the city leading up to the televised awards show.

With 3,000 more seats added at SaskTel Centre since the last time Saskatoon hosted, and the opening of the Remai Modern Art Gallery, Brandt said the city has better infrastructure to handle the festivities.

“You get activations and live music happening at venues from Prairieland Park to many of the live music bars as well,” he said.

“It really does spread throughout Saskatoon.”

He estimated the event could generate between $10 million and $12 million in economic activity.

Tourism Saskatoon is gathering a $1.5 million funding package necessary to submit the bid.

They’re hoping some of that money will come from city council, asking for a $350,000 commitment which will go to committee on Monday.

The municipal funding would only be provided if the bid is successful.

Brandt said a bid was attempted for the 2019 Junos, which are being held in London, Ont.

“We weren’t able to pull together the financial package, so regretfully we had to pull out of the bid process,” he said.

“It’s a high demand product, it has a great economic potential.”

A bid is expected to be submitted before Christmas, with a potential announcement following in early 2019.