Volunteers a legacy of 2013 Grey Cup in Regina

Last time the Grey Cup was in Regina, it left behind something that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.

Judith Veresuk, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement District said it took numerous volunteers to host downtown activities in 2013, like the beer tent and family festival.

But she said the Grey Cup brought out people willing to help and she’s expecting that to be the case in 2020.

“It is a city of volunteers. I think people love being a part of large-scale events. We’ve seen it through the Brier, Memorial Cup, through the LPGA and this is just another wonderful volunteer opportunity,” Veresuk said.

Those volunteers needed to be trained and that’s the legacy Veresuk said will be key if Regina wants to hold special occasions in the future.

She personally knows of a “professional volunteer” that helped out during the Grey Cup and then went on to step up for the Memorial Cup.

“That is a tremendous legacy that I’ve seen time and time again. Folks just coming out and volunteering and making sure we put our best foot forward,” she said.

“If those types of skill sets are cultivated through this, it’s all the better for the city and for our potential for attracting future events.”