The excitement is building in Regina ahead of Thursday’s announcement of which city will get to host the 2020 Grey Cup.
It’s between Regina, Montreal, and Hamilton.
Regina Hotel Association president and CEO Tracey Fahlman said she’s excited but also a little nervous.
“When you go through a competitive process such as this, you know, you always have just a little bit of nervousness on what that decision is going to be.”
The association was part of the bid, supporting the team and making sure it could secure the number of room nights needed.
Fahlman said the Grey Cup would be big for Regina.
“It really brings profile to our city and quite a boost to our local economy.”
The last time Regina hosted the game was in 2013. Fahlman said back then, the association didn’t think as much about the workers involved in supporting the event. She said there are 1,400 people employed at the city’s hotels along with thousands more at Evraz Place, at restaurants and pubs, and working as taxi drivers.
“They all share in the opportunity to earn some extra income.”
In the five years since Regina’s last Grey Cup, Fahlman said nine new hotels have been built in Regina, adding 950 rooms. And she said they’d be excited to host even more out-of-town guests.
The Grey Cup host announcement will be made Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m.