WATCH ABOVE: What are the chances Red Bull Crashed Ice will make a repeat appearance in the Capital City? Lisa Wolansky reports.
EDMONTON — The high-energy event drew more than 70,000 people to Edmonton’s river valley and may have generated up to $10 million in economic activity, but will Red Bull Crashed Ice be back?
“Things went unbelievably good,” said James Jackson, Edmonton Tourism’s event development manager. “From Edmonton Tourism’s perspective, we saw a lot of external people coming into town and I think everybody was blown away with the response of Edmontonians and of the product itself.”
He said the number of people that came out to see the event “is just another example of how Edmontonians support sport and cultural events.”
READ MORE: Thousands come out for Red Bull Crashed Ice in Edmonton
“The hotels were full, bars and restaurants were packed and that’s what we like to see.”
Jackson said final numbers won’t be confirmed for a few weeks, but feels Crashed Ice gave the city a huge boost.
“We were projecting somewhere between $6 and $10 million in economic impact.”
“We are confident that the goal will be achieved, if not exceeded,” Jackson added.
“On Saturday night there were restaurants that normally do $5,000 a day doing $3,500 an hour. Bars were packed, line-ups everywhere. We couldn’t be happier.”
So, does that mean Edmonton can expect to see the Ice Cross Downhill World Championship here again?
“I’m looking forward to hopefully having them back in the city,” said Jackson. He described Red Bull as a great partner to work with, but couldn’t comment on the event’s return.
Councillor Scott McKeen was thrilled to see the outdoor winter patios busy on Saturday night. He said the city will now take a look at the possibility of hosting the event again. He added it’s too soon to say if that will happen.
“It was a very popular event,” said McKeen.
“I think there was really good bang for the buck here,” he added. “The city, through Edmonton Economic Development, I think it was a $400,000 investment. So, we’ll review those things… was that a good investment?”
McKeen spoke to a Red Bull official Saturday night and said “they seemed really thrilled at how it had all gone.”
WATCH: Aerial footage of the Red Bull Crashed Ice finale from the Global 1 news helicopter.
The branch manager with community and recreation facilities echoed McKeen’s read on Red Bull, saying organizers seemed pleased.
“We’ll have some follow-up meetings over the next weeks and months as we look at some options – maybe – for a future event,” said Rob Smyth.
READ MORE: Warm weather no match for Red Bull Crashed Ice races
City council would be involved in that decision, he explained.
“We haven’t gone down that path at all … Fingers crossed, no question. I think the energy in the city was tremendous and if we can do that again it will be another feather in our city’s cap.”
Comments