Battle of Alberta expected to provide economic boost to Lethbridge restaurants and bars

It’s no doubt that the battle between the Flames and Oilers this week will be a very exciting one, but the game is most likely also expected to draw in some big economic boosts. Both Trevor Lewington with Economic Development Lethbridge and Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen say this is big especially for restaurants and bars as many will likely head out to watch the game.

“Hockey fans I am sure planning their trips already to the bar, even if people don’t go out, they are buying supplies, they are having friends over. It’s a little hard to figure out the exact economic impact, you know what does it mean for Lethbridge, but no doubt, it’s a good thing for local restaurants, local food stores, local service providers, that’s always a good thing when there is something to cheer about. I think after two years of being stuck at home and the pandemic, even the phycological impact, you know the ability to cheer about something, will just get people out and hopefully spending a little bit of money in local stores,” said Trevor Lewington, CEO of Economic Development Lethbridge.

“Economic spin-off from this is going to be huge and I know we say how does that help in Southern Alberta, we are not Edmonton or Calgary, restaurants. We have already been asked, is this going to be played somewhere else, can we advertise this somewhere else, and so these plans are all in place, but it’s just super super exciting. 31 years, like come on,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen.