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Saskatoon City Council has conditionally approved $350,000 worth of funding to help support Discover Saskatoon’s bid to host a major unknown sporting event in 2027.
The money, which would come from the city’s special events grant reserve, will only be provided if Saskatoon wins the bid and submits a full event plan. If the bid is unsuccessful, no money will be distributed. The approval allows Discover Saskatoon to include the funding in its official bid, which is due at the end of the month.
Discover Saskatoon has also requested $600,000 from the province.
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During a presentation to the council on Wednesday, Stephanie Clovechok, the CEO of Discover Saskatoon, did not specify the name of the event due to its competition with larger cities, some of which have larger reserves.
“This is a historic opportunity and we want to ensure that Saskatoon remains a frontrunner,” she said to the council.
“We’re here to play, to win, (and) not to show our hand too early.”
Clovechok said the projected economic impact includes $15.7 million in direct business sales, more than $1.7 million in provincial tax revenue, and an estimated 13,862 nights booked at hotels.
“Beyond the numbers, hosting this event in 2027 will bring a legacy of national attention and long-term benefits for our local businesses, partners and community as a whole,” Clovechok added.
She pointed to a request made by the organization earlier this year for $500,000 towards a bid to bring a major national music awards show to the city. The outcome of that bid is not yet known.
Mayor Cynthia Block said major events attract dollars that help move the city forward and can ultimately lower overall pressure on property taxes.
“The reason there’s fierce competition is because it brings in a lot of dollars to our city and overall, we are inviting visitors and potential future residents,” she said. “All of these pieces increase our ability to have a strong, vibrant city.”
Ward 5 City Councillor Randy Donauer echoed Block’s comments.
“National events like these keep us on the map,” he said. “It also supports both our major venues, with SaskTel Centre and TCU Place, with other legacy projects that they might bring to our city.”
According to Clovechok, the next step is to complete the funding plan, which requires confirmed contributions from municipal, provincial and private sources. After the submission, Clovechok said it could take up to three months to see if it was successful.
