As the 2015 Canada Winter Games hits its halfway point, there are questions whether an expected $90 million in economic impact will come to fruition.
“At the early start of it was definitely a bit quieter,” says Darryl Colley, General Manager for Kelly O’Bryan’s pub. “A lot of people were a little lost in Prince George, needed a little help in finding where to go.”
However, he says business has picked up as the days have gone by.
“People are finding themselves, and maybe aren’t doing as much eating in the hotels…and seeing the city.”
WATCH: Mixed reviews at halfway point? CKPG reports
The website for the games say that “all of the accommodations are reserved during the dates of the event,” and says a shuttle system could be in place for people staying in Vanderhoof and Quesnel. That hasn’t been needed though, as rooms have been available.
Hotels hosting some of the fifteen thousand visitors and four thousand volunteers have good things to report, however.
“It’s probably gone beyond expectations for me,” said Tracy Peterson, General Manager at the Ramada Prince George. “There’s a beautiful feeling in the hotel.”
With the weekend seeing no events, instead being used for for athletes who competed in the first week departing and second week athletes arriving, there’s hope businesses will see an uptick in activity.
“This time, definitely for ourselves, we’ll be right in their face,” says Colley.
“We might even meet them out at the airport. Welcome them to Prince George, tell them we’re here. All businesses should be doing this.”
– With files from CKPG
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