Medicine Hat’s new arena, the Canalta Centre, is the crown jewel of athletic facilities in the city. With the Alberta Winter Games set to start on Feb. 13, the venue is about to be put to the test by some of the top young athletes in the province.
“Two thousand five hundred athletes coming into the building here, making sure that we get them properly into the building,” said Canalta Centre General Manager Peter Jelinski. “As well as working with the public, fans, and families everything like that, we’ve got to prepare for all of it.”
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The Canalta Centre will host the opening ceremonies as well as some of the games’ hockey events. They’re just one of many facilities in the city preparing for the gigantic event, which projects to bring in $3 million to $5 million.
“A lot of that comes from hotels, and an increase of sales,” said Medicine Hat Tourism Director Quentin Randall. “But I think we’re expecting 10,000 people… to be in the city for the games.”
It’s an event that should bring big exposure, and Randall believes those who visit will be won over by the gas city.
“We’re just hoping that the games help nudge us in the right direction,” said Randall. “And kind of gets people to understand a little bit more how nice, open, and ambitious this city is.”
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