REGINA – The City of Regina is hoping to host the LPGA Pacific Women’s Open in 2018.
The city is considering contributing a bid of $100,000 to bring the tournament to Regina – $50,000 in cash plus another $50,000 in city services.
The bid is contingent on the provincial government and the Regina Hotel Association providing another $300,000. But organizers promise a significant return on that investment.
“The economic impact would be between eight and $10 million dollars (to the host city),” Greg Dukart, CEO of Wascana Country Club, said. The country club would like the tournament to take place at their venue.
“It’s a world-class event and a rare opportunity for Regina, or even Saskatchewan, to get a chance at something like this.”
Dukart is chairman of the local bid committee. He, along with a representative from Economic Development Regina Inc., will be presenting the bid proposal to city council on March 29.
Dukart insisted the tournament would not only bring Regina extra revenue but will mean worldwide exposure for the city.
“(The tournament has an) estimated 200 million viewers around the world,” Dukart said.
“That’s 90 countries represented with the media. So (the) outreach is something you would never get without enormous costs here.”
The city previously made a bid for the 2015 tournament but lost to Vancouver.
The bid is being considered at tonight’s executive committee.
With files from Gabriela Panza-Beltrandi
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